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Nations Condemn Peacekeeper Killings in Lebanon
Ten countries condemned the killing of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon and called for an immediate end to hostilities amid escalating conflict and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
UNIFIL peacekeepers on patrol along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon. Photo: UNIFIL
A coalition of ten nations, including Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Japan, on Tuesday strongly denounced the killing of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon and urged an immediate cessation of violence as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
In a joint declaration, the countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the United Kingdom voiced serious alarm over the intensifying crisis, marked by rising casualties and large-scale displacement following months of conflict.
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The statement was issued after three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed last month. According to preliminary findings by the United Nations, one peacekeeper died due to an Israeli tank round, while the other two were killed by an improvised explosive device believed to have been planted by Hezbollah.
The joint statement highlighted mounting concern over the worsening humanitarian emergency but did not explicitly name Israel or Hezbollah in assigning responsibility.
Israel escalated its aerial bombardment campaign in Lebanon after Hezbollah launched missile attacks on March 2, shortly after the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Since then, Israeli forces have expanded ground operations in southern Lebanon, prompting mass evacuations from affected areas.
Lebanese officials report that more than 2,000 people have been killed and approximately 1.2 million displaced as a result of the ongoing Israeli offensive.
Hezbollah’s retaliatory missile strikes have largely focused on communities along Israel’s northern frontier, though some have reached major urban centers. Israeli authorities state that two civilians and 13 soldiers have been killed since early March.
The group of nations condemned the incidents that resulted in the deaths of UN personnel and warned that humanitarian workers in southern Lebanon are facing heightened danger.
They also welcomed a ceasefire arrangement involving the United States, Israel and Iran, while calling for a broader halt to hostilities within Lebanon.
The wider conflict escalated after U.S. and Israeli forces carried out strikes on Iran on February 28. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting U.S. military installations. The confrontation has led to significant casualties and mass displacement across the region.
A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in effect, with one week remaining before its expiration.
Iran has insisted that any broader peace agreement must address Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. However, Israel has ruled out including Lebanon in ceasefire negotiations and has demanded that the Lebanese government disarm Hezbollah.
Editor’s Note:
The joint statement reflects growing international concern over the escalating conflict in Lebanon, highlighting the increasing risks to United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian workers, while underscoring urgent calls for de-escalation amid a widening regional crisis.
