The United Nations Security Council has expressed “strong concern” over the recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon by Israel, emphasizing its unwavering support for the crucial role they play in maintaining security in the region. This statement, marking the first from the UN’s most powerful body since Israel’s attacks on UNIFIL positions began last week, comes amidst mounting international condemnation.
Despite Israel’s calls for UNIFIL to relocate 5 kilometers north during its ground invasion of Lebanon, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix confirmed that the peacekeepers will remain in their positions, as directed by Secretary-General António Guterres. This decision underscores the UN’s commitment to its peacekeeping mission in the face of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has its roots in a year of escalating tensions, triggered by Hezbollah’s rocket attacks in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, following Hamas’s deadly attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The Security Council’s statement, issued after emergency closed consultations, refrained from directly naming Israel, Lebanon, or Hezbollah, instead urging all parties to prioritize the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and UN premises.
While the Security Council has faced deep divisions over the war in Gaza, with the US defending its ally Israel, support for the Palestinians has grown among council members, particularly as casualties have escalated. Notably, the Biden administration has become more critical of civilian deaths and the recent attacks on UNIFIL. US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood emphasized that the council’s unified statement reflects the global concern regarding the situation in Lebanon, sending a clear message of support to the Lebanese people and highlighting the council’s unwavering commitment to observing and addressing the crisis.
The council’s statement also expressed deep concern over the rising number of civilian casualties and suffering, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the increasing number of internally displaced people. The conflict has resulted in the tragic deaths of over 1,400 individuals in Lebanon, including civilians, medics, and Hezbollah fighters, and has displaced over 1.2 million people in the past month. Meanwhile, approximately 60 Israelis have been killed in Hezbollah strikes over the past year.
Israel’s stated objective is to drive Hezbollah away from the border, enabling the return of approximately 60,000 displaced Israelis to their homes. The Security Council’s statement strongly emphasizes the obligation of all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians. It further calls for the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war and acknowledged the need for concrete measures to achieve lasting peace in the region. This resolution specifically calls for the deployment of the Lebanese army throughout the south and the disarmament of all armed groups, including Hezbollah—objectives that have remained unfulfilled for the past 18 years.
Lacroix, the undersecretary-general for peace operations, reported that five UNIFIL peacekeepers have been injured in recent days and that the UN has formally protested to Israel. While Israel has indicated that investigations into these incidents are underway, it remains unclear what outcome these investigations will yield.
Israeli Army spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani asserted that Israel has maintained constant contact with UNIFIL and that any instances of harm to UN forces will be investigated at the highest level. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message directed at the UN secretary-general, who is currently banned from entering Israel, called for UNIFIL to evacuate, accusing them of providing a “human shield” for Hezbollah. He expressed regret for the injuries sustained by UNIFIL soldiers but insisted that their withdrawal from the danger zone is the only way to ensure their safety.
Lacroix, reiterating the UN’s commitment to peacekeeping, stressed that all parties share the responsibility for ensuring the safety and security of the peacekeepers. He also emphasized the importance of the peacekeepers remaining in their positions, as this serves as a critical step towards a return to negotiations and a genuine effort towards the full implementation of Resolution 1701.