UN Security Council condemns attack on Lebanon peacekeepers that killed 1, injured 3

Michael Gabriel Hernandez

The UN Security Council condemned “in the strongest terms” Monday an attack on peacekeepers in Lebanon that killed one and injured three others.

The council members “reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL and urged all parties to take all measures to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises, as well as the freedom of movement of the mission, in a manner consistent with international law, including by refraining from actions that may put peacekeepers in danger and impede the Force to carry on its mandate.”

The council was referring to the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon formally known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Saturday’s attack killed a French soldier and injured three others serving with the force.

“Peacekeepers must never be the target of an attack,” the Security Council said.

It further called for the UN to “swiftly” investigate the attack and “called for those responsible for the attack to be held accountable without delay.”

UNIFIL said it has launched an investigation after one of its positions “came under small-arms fire from non-state actors” in the southern village of Ghanduriyah on Saturday.

Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack and expressed surprise at what it called premature accusations, saying some parties were quick to assign blame “while remaining silent during Israeli attacks on UNIFIL forces.”