France, Italy and Spain condemn Israeli army attacks on UNIFIL personnel

(Patria) - Leaders of France, Italy and Spain on Friday condemned the recent targeting of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, by the Israeli army, saying such attacks are "unjustified" and should "come to an immediate end", Reuters reported.

Two UN peacekeepers were injured on Friday in an Israeli strike near their post in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army said, as explosions rocked the main peacekeeping base in the area for the second time in 48 hours while Israeli forces battled Hezbollah.

France, Italy and Spain, the largest European contributors of personnel to UNIFIL, expressed their "outrage" in a joint statement after several peacekeepers were hit at the main UNIFIL base in Naqoura.

"These attacks constitute a serious violation of Israel's obligations under UNSCR (United Nations Security Council Resolution) 1701 and under international humanitarian law," they stated.

"We recall that all peacekeeping forces must be protected and reiterate our praise for the continuous and irreplaceable commitment of UNIFIL troops/personnel in this very challenging context," they added, calling for an "immediate ceasefire".

The three nations said they count on "Israel's commitment to the security of the UN and bilateral peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, as well as international organizations active in the region".