EU condemns ‘all attacks against UN missions,’ urges Israel to investigate wounding of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon

The European Union condemns all attacks against United Nations missions, the union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says in a response to the alleged targeting of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, by the Israel Defense Forces.

“Such attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of international law and are totally unacceptable. These attacks must stop immediately,” Borrell says in a statement on behalf of the EU.

“The EU condemns all attacks against UN missions,” Borrell says.

“It expresses particularly grave concern regarding the attacks by the Israeli Defense Forces against UNIFIL, which left several peacekeepers wounded.”

Israel has disputed UN accounts of incidents involving UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were providing “human shields” for Hezbollah terrorists during fighting.

In his statement, Borrell said “all actors” in the conflict have the obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property.

“We urgently await explanations and a thorough investigation from the Israeli authorities about the attacks against UNIFIL, which plays a fundamental role in the stability of South Lebanon,” he said.