Israeli forces attacked the headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping force (Blue Helmets) in southern Lebanon. Two peacekeepers were injured. The attack was carried out on Thursday (October 10). Al Jazeera news.
The attack has been strongly condemned by the international community. In particular, the European countries participating in the UN mission reacted strongly to the incident.
Israel has admitted that its army opened fire on the area. However, they claimed that the armed members of Hezbollah were staying near the UN base.
Italy called the attack by Israel a 'war crime'. The United States has also expressed deep concern over this incident.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Croceto said such an attack was not only wrong, but intolerable.
He added that any attack against UN peacekeepers violates international law. Italy has made a formal protest to Israel's defense minister and ambassador.
A shell fired from an Israeli Merkava tank hit an observation tower at its headquarters in Nakura, southern Lebanon, the United Nations Internal Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed. Two Indonesian peacekeepers were injured. The injured have been admitted to the hospital. But their condition is not serious.
Hari Prabowo, Indonesia's UN ambassador, also called the incident a violation of international law and peacekeeping values. He said, this attack proves that Israel wants to establish itself above international law and human rights.
Spain's foreign ministry called the incident a "serious violation of international law" and strongly condemned the incident.
Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said attacks on UN peacekeepers are unacceptable and must stop immediately.
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has confirmed that the safety of peacekeepers in Lebanon is now at serious risk. Due to the deteriorating situation, 300 peacekeepers have already been evacuated to larger bases, and another 200 are planned to be evacuated.
UNIFIL said it has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in southern Lebanon since the conflict began.
UNIFIL has about 10,000 peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon.
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