The EU criticizes Israel’s attacks on Lebanese peacekeepers

Luxembourg:

The head of foreign policy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, denounced this Monday as “totally unacceptable” a series of Israeli attacks that have injured United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

“All 27 (EU) members agreed to ask (the) Israelis to stop attacking UNIFIL,” Borrell told reporters ahead of a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Luxembourg. “It is completely unacceptable to attack UN troops,” he said.

At least five peacekeepers have been wounded in recent days as Israel attacks Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL, a mission of about 9,500 soldiers of various nationalities created in the wake of Israel’s 1978 invasion of Lebanon, has accused the Israeli army of “deliberately” firing on its positions.

“Many European members are participating in this mission,” said Borrell. “His work is very important.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday to pull peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon out of “harm’s path,” saying Hezbollah was using them as “shields humans”.

UNIFIL has refused to abandon its positions.

Read also: ‘Get Lebanon’s peacekeepers out of harm’s way, right now’: Netanyahu to UN

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