President Biden said Friday that Israel should “absolutely” stop attacking UN peacekeepers in Lebanon following two incidents this week involving them.
On Friday, the president answered “absolutely” when asked if he would urge Israel to stop attacking the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL), Poole reported.
His response was after UNIFIL stated in a statement On Friday, the company said its headquarters in the southern Lebanese city of Nakoura had been hit by the second explosion in two days. The mission said two peacekeepers were injured in the attack near the watchtower.
One injured member is currently being treated in Nakoula, while the other was taken to Tire, the statement said. UNIFIL said the incident put its member states at “very serious” risk and described the second incident as a “serious” development.
UNIFIL had initially accused the Israeli military of an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) tank firing into its headquarters watchtower and wounding two other peacekeepers the day before.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin called Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday to express concerns about the airstrike.
“Secretary Austin also emphasized the importance of ensuring the security of UNIFIL forces in the region and urged coordinated efforts to transition from military operations to diplomatic channels as soon as possible,” the Pentagon statement said. said.
The leaders of France, Italy and Spain condemned the attack and stressed the need for peacekeepers to carry out peacekeeping operations. protected.
The development follows Israel's limited invasion of Lebanon in late September. It also comes as Israel faces cross-border attacks by the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. Conflict has intensified in the region since the group confirmed an Israeli airstrike killed its leader Hassan Nasrallah and other officials.
The nearly year-long conflict in the region, sparked by fighting between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, has raised fears of a wider war.
