Nearly 40 countries call for protection of blue helmets in Lebanon – DW – 10/13/2024

This Saturday (12.10.20249) at least 40 countries expressed their “full” support for the UN peacekeeping force in Southern Lebanon (FINUL) and urged them to protect the blue helmets, five of them in the last 48 hours were injured.

In a letter published in the Polish Mission And there should be a proper investigation.” To the United Nations.

“We urge all parties involved in the conflict to respect FINUL’s presence, including ensuring the safety of all its staff at all times,” he said.

The body, which has 10,000 troops, has been in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been in open war for three weeks.

A UN peacekeeping force on Thursday accused Israeli troops of “repeatedly” and “deliberately” firing on its positions, drawing strong international condemnation.

Fear of a “catastrophic” regional conflict

Since then, five peacekeepers have been injured, at least two of them by Israeli fire.

The 40 countries, including Italy, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Indonesia, China, Turkey and Qatar, stressed, “We consider the role of UNIFIL to be particularly important in view of the rising tensions in the Middle East.”

Finul on Saturday expressed fears of a “catastrophic” regional conflict with an intensification of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, in parallel with the war against Hamas in Gaza.

Italy, one of the main troop donors to the peacekeeping force with about 900 troops, spoke of possible “war crimes.”

Paris, Madrid, Dublin and Jakarta also condemned the attacks. The United States, for its part, said it was “deeply concerned”.

MG (AFP, AP, Euronews)