Southern European Leaders Urge Ceasefire Following Israeli Strikes on UN Peacekeepers

Israeli strikes on the UN peacekeeping headquarters in Naqoura have injured two peacekeepers, prompting serious concern from the international community. Just a day later, two more peacekeepers were injured due to nearby explosions.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that Israeli forces targeted its facilities multiple times, hitting observation towers, bunkers, and various other UN posts. This has led to strong condemnation from countries like France, Italy, and Spain, who described these attacks as “unjustifiable.”

In the wake of these incidents, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated, with leaders from Southern European nations urgently calling for a ceasefire. At a recent summit in Cyprus, representatives from nine Southern European countries, known as the MED9 group, voiced their collective demand for peace in both Lebanon and Gaza. This group includes France, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, along with the support of Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez released a joint statement urging an immediate ceasefire. They referenced the 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which emphasizes the security and peacekeeping role of UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon. Macron labeled the recent strikes on UN personnel as “absolutely unacceptable,” while Meloni stressed the need for an immediate halt to attacks on peacekeepers.

The joint statement condemned the assaults on peacekeepers and highlighted the necessity of curbing the flow of weapons into the region. Macron proposed halting weapons exports to conflict zones as a step toward peace.

U.S. President Joe Biden also voiced his concerns regarding the targeting of UN peacekeepers, urging Israel to refrain from striking UN forces. Biden’s appeal followed an incident in which two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured. Amid recent events, the United Nations is assessing these strikes, with officials suggesting that there may be an intentional targeting of UN positions.

India, which has contributed a significant number of peacekeepers to UNIFIL, has echoed the UN's concerns, urging all parties to respect the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel.

Ongoing Israel-Lebanon Conflict

On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes in Beirut reportedly resulted in 22 civilian deaths and 117 injuries, aiming at Hezbollah leadership. However, the intended target, Wafiq Safa, was not present in the buildings destroyed during the bombing.

According to Lebanon’s crisis response unit, over 2,000 people have been killed, and more than 10,000 injured since hostilities escalated in early October. Additionally, hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The situation in Gaza has also worsened, with many casualties and displacements reported, as Palestinian sources confirm deadly airstrikes on civilian shelters and schools.

Medical facilities in Gaza are experiencing severe shortages, with Doctors Without Borders reporting dwindling fuel and medical supplies, leading hospitals to struggle with the overwhelming number of injured civilians.

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