After injuries among them in southern Lebanon.. 40 countries participating in UNIFIL urge protection of their soldiers

At least 40 countries on Saturday expressed their “full” support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), urging the protection of its personnel, five of whom were wounded in 48 hours.

“We strongly condemn the recent attacks against peacekeepers. Such acts must stop immediately and be properly investigated,” the UNIFIL contributing countries said in a message posted on the Polish mission’s account to the United Nations.

The countries, including India and Germany, added, “We urge all parties to the conflict to respect the presence of UNIFIL, which requires ensuring the security and safety of all its personnel at all times.”

Israel came under fire on Friday after the UN force accused its army of "repeatedly" and "deliberately" firing on its positions.

The forty countries, which also include Italy, Spain, France, Britain and Ireland, stressed, “We consider the role of UNIFIL to be extremely important, especially in light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East.”

The signatory countries include Nepal and Indonesia, two of whose UNIFIL personnel were slightly injured as a result of gunfire at the UN force's headquarters.

Among the UNIFIL participants and signatories to the statement are also China, Qatar and Turkey.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned on Saturday of a “catastrophic” regional conflict as the Israeli army battles the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Palestinian Hamas movement, which are allied with Iran.

It was targeted by Israeli fire, which has since Friday sparked international diplomatic criticism and condemnations, including from the United States, Israel's ally.

UNIFIL is deployed in southern Lebanon on the border with Israel. The force, which has more than 9,500 troops, has been caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah since the group opened a front against the Jewish state in October 2023.

Israeli forces were accused of “repeatedly” and “deliberately” firing on their positions, wounding five peacekeepers in two days.

Rome considered this to amount to “war crimes” and, like Paris, summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest.

UNIFIL forces are deployed between the Litani River and the Lebanese-Israeli border, and their headquarters are located in Ras al-Naqoura on the border.

Its largest contingents are made up of troops from Indonesia, India, Ghana, Italy and Nepal. Malaysia, Spain, Ireland and France also contribute troops.

(AFP)