On October 11, a convoy of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was seen moving through the town of Marjayoun, located in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. This comes in the wake of two artillery strikes by the Israeli military on UN peacekeepers within a 24-hour period, resulting in injuries to two personnel and raising alarm internationally. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna summoned the Israeli ambassador to France for an explanation, with President Emmanuel Macron expressing intolerance towards such incidents, stating they “will not be tolerated.” Meanwhile, UNIFIL personnel affirmed their commitment to remain at their posts.

According to France Info, Israeli forces targeted UNIFIL peacekeepers, known for their blue helmets symbolizing peace, resulting in injuries to two people. Previously, on October 10, two Indonesian UN personnel were also injured in a similar strike. The attacks have drawn widespread condemnation from various nations, with many arguing that these are not mere accidents and may constitute war crimes.

While France has historically supported Israel’s right to defend itself, its stance appears to be hardening in light of these recent attacks. The Israeli embassy responded to inquiries from BFM TV, stating that the military did not intentionally target UNIFIL but accused Hezbollah of using UN facilities as cover for attacks. They claimed efforts have been made to request UNIFIL personnel to relocate further from the border to mitigate such incidents, and an investigation into the artillery fire is underway.

Sky News reports that UNIFIL is stationed in southern Lebanon to monitor hostilities along the Israeli border, having been a site of significant conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the strikes as criminal.

One of the most robust denunciations came from Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, whose country plays a major role in UNIFIL. He stated, “This is neither a mistake nor an accident. It could amount to war crimes and is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.” His words are significant, especially as Italy and several European nations have traditionally supported Israel in its conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.

European Council President Charles Michel described the attacks on UN peacekeepers as “irresponsible and unacceptable,” calling on Israel and all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law. Countries such as France, Spain, and Jordan have also condemned Israel’s actions.

In response to the escalating violence, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti emphasized the mission’s commitment: “We are there because the UN Security Council called upon us to be there, and we will continue to stay until the situation becomes untenable for our operations.” He noted that, despite a mass exodus of civilians from the area, many remain caught in the ongoing conflict. Tenenti stated that the troops still have important work to accomplish, including assisting local NGOs and UN agencies to provide much-needed food and water to affected villages.