Countries jointly condemn attacks on UN peacekeepers

Countries participating in the UN mission in Lebanon have condemned the recent attacks on peacekeepers in a statement and demanded that they cease immediately.

The statement, initiated by the Polish representative to the United Nations on Saturday and signed by 40 countries, noted that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) aims to "bring stabilisation and lasting peace in South Lebanon as well as in the Middle East."

UNIFIL's role is "particularly crucial in light of the escalating situation in the region," it added.

The statement is undersigned by countries including Britain, France, Italy, Spain and China, while Germany added its name later.

Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia have been exchanging heavy fire in the border area since the start of the Gaza war a year ago.

The UN observer mission is monitoring the area, with 10,000 soldiers from around 50 countries. In the last few days, UN soldiers have been killed and injured in multiple attacks.

The parties to the conflict must respect the presence of the so-called "Blue Helmets" and ensure their safety at all times, the signatories of the statement said, adding that the attacks must be "adequately investigated."

According to the UN, two peacekeepers were injured on Friday when two exposions occurred near an observation post at the UNIFIL headquarters. Later that day another UN peacekeeper was injured by gunfire at the force's headquarters.

The previous day, Israeli troops had reportedly fired at the headquarters, injuring at least two soldiers.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed his "deep concern" about the attacks in a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, according to the Pentagon.

According to the US Department of Defense, Gallant repeated Israel's accusations that Hezbollah is using the areas around UNIFIL bases for its own purposes.

He also assured Austin that the military would try not to harm UNIFIL troops and bases.