US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant his deep concern over reports that Israeli forces fired at positions of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reported Reuters, quoted by BTA.
In the conversation with his Israeli counterpart, Austin called for ensuring the safety and security of both the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Armed Forces, the US Department of Defense said in a statement.
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Austin also stressed "the need to move from military operations in Lebanon to a diplomatic solution as soon as possible," said the statement, cited by the Associated Press.
The US defense secretary added that steps must also be taken to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but reaffirmed the US's "unwavering, enduring and ironclad commitment to Israel's security".
At least 40 countries expressed yesterday "full" support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (MUNIFIL) and called for the protection of the "blue helmets", five of whom were wounded in 48 hours, reported France Presse, quoted by BTA.
"We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the presence of UNIFIL, which means ensuring the safety and security of all their personnel at all times," said the 34 countries participating in the UN force. They were later joined by six other countries, according to the letter posted on the "X" profile. of the Polish mission to the UN.
Israel came under a barrage of criticism after UNIFIL accused Israeli troops of "repeatedly" and "deliberate" have shelled their positions, AFP recalls.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned of the danger of a "catastrophic" regional conflict, amid the fighting between the Israeli army and Iran's allies - the Lebanese group "Hezbollah" and the Palestinian "Hamas", reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
At least 15 people were killed yesterday in Israeli strikes in three villages north and south of Beirut, outside Hezbollah strongholds, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced last night.
"The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is not just a conflict between two countries. It could very soon turn into a regional conflict with catastrophic consequences for all," said UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti.
Israel has moved the front line of the war into Lebanon in order to keep "Hezbollah" away from the border areas and to stop its rocket fire to allow some 60,000 displaced residents to return to northern Israel. The front turned into open warfare on September 23 with the start of intense Israeli bombardment of Hezbollah strongholds. in Lebanon, which also killed the leader of the movement, Hassan Nasrallah. On September 30, the Israeli army began a ground offensive in southern Lebanon, AFP recalls.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron called on “Hezbollah” to immediately end the strikes against Israel. He also repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, reported France Press, quoted by BTA.
„A cease-fire must be implemented immediately in Lebanon”, the French president said during a telephone conversation with Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament.
The strikes of “Hezbollah“ against Israel must be “immediately stopped”, the head of state added, at a time when, according to the Israeli army, the Lebanese Islamist movement fired about 320 projectiles at Israel during Yom Kippur, the holiest Jewish holiday.
Emmanuel Macron also expressed “great concern about the intensification of Israeli strikes in Lebanon and their dramatic consequences for the civilian population”, the Elysee Palace emphasized. According to data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health, nine people died on Saturday in new strikes by Israeli forces on two Lebanese villages.
Before Nabih Berri, the French president called on the Lebanese to “unite for the sake of the unity and stability of the country”, inviting all parties to “face together this new test” by supporting a “comprehensive political program based on elections of a president who will guarantee national unity“.
France will continue to make efforts to mobilize the international community within the framework of the International Conference in Support of the People and Sovereignty of Lebanon, which will be organized in Paris on October 24, the Elysée Palace emphasizes.
Finally, Emmanuel Macron confirmed “France's commitment to UNIFIL” (“UN Interim Force in Lebanon”) and again expressed his “outrage at the unjustified attacks on peacekeepers in recent times”.
Macron also held a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and stressed the importance of this country not allowing itself to be drawn into the conflict.