Israel is facing heavy criticism over its attacks on UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon.
A UN source said Israel had injured two people when it fired on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon this morning.
The UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the demarcation line with Israel – an area that has seen serious clashes between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.
It comes after UNIFIL said two of its peacekeepers were injured when one of its watchtowers was hit by Israeli tank fire yesterday.
The attacks have prompted a growing chorus of international condemnation, with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati denouncing what he described as “a crime”.
This sentiment was echoed by one of the strongest statements condemning the attacks, from Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, who said it was a possible war crime.
“This was not a mistake and not an accident,” Mr Crosetto told a news conference.
“It could constitute a war crime and represented a very serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
His comments are notable because, unlike some European countries, Italy has been highly supportive of Israel throughout its year-long war with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
European Council president Charles Michel said: “An attack against a UN peace mission is not responsible, is not acceptable and that’s why we call on Israel and we call on all sides to fully respect international humanitarian law.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign ministry said: “Moscow is outraged by the actions of the Israeli military.
“The Russian side demands that it refrain from any hostile actions against the UNIFIL peacekeepers carrying out their mission in Lebanon.”
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “China expresses grave concern and strong condemnation over the Israeli Defence Forces’ attack on UNIFIL positions and observation posts.”
And Lama Fakih, of Human Rights Watch, said: “UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon have long played a critical civilian protection and humanitarian role.
“Any targeting of UN peacekeepers by Israeli forces violates the laws of war and dangerously interferes with UNIFIL’s civilian protection and aid work.”
Several other countries, including France, Spain and Jordan, also denounced the Israeli attacks.
Discover more from MEZIESBLOG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.