UN Security Council voices concern over attacks on peacekeepers in Lebanon

The U.N. Security Council has expressed “strong concern” after several U.N. peacekeepers were wounded when they came under fire in southern Lebanon, and has reiterated its support for the peacekeeping mission’s role “in supporting regional security.”

The council’s statement was its first reaction to the escalating attacks across the U.N.-drawn boundary between Israel and Lebanon, and the firing at frontline positions of the peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL.

The statement did not name Israel or the Hezbollah militants who have been firing into Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza since the Iranian-backed resistance group’s surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The statement urges all parties “to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and U.N. premises.”

Council members also expressed “deep concern” at civilian casualties, the destruction of infrastructure and the rising number of displaced people. They called on all parties to abide by international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of civilians.

Council members called for the full implementation of the council resolution that ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war “and recognized the need for further practical measures to achieve that outcome.”

That resolution calls for the Lebanese Army to deploy throughout the south and for all armed groups, including Hezbollah, to be disarmed, neither of which has happened. UNIFIL’s mandate includes monitoring the border and supporting implementation of the resolution.

The Security Council “also emphasized the need for diplomatic endeavors that would bring a durable end to the conflict and allow civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes.”