European leaders ‘outraged’ over Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

European leaders ‘outraged’ over Israeli attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

The leaders of France, Italy and Spain have released a joint statement condemning the recent targeting of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon by the Israeli military.

These attacks were “unjustifiable” and constitute a “serious violation of the obligations of Israel” under humanitarian international law, the statement said. It went on to say:

We recall that all peacekeepers must be protected and reiterate our praise for the continued and indispensable commitment of Unifil troops/personnel in this very challenging context.

France, Italy and Spain make up the largest European contributors to Unifil in terms of personnel.

In the joint statement, they called for an immediate ceasefire and said they counted on “Israel’s commitment to the security of UN and bilateral peacekeeping missions in Lebanon as well as international organisations active in the region”.

Hezbollah has warned Israelis to stay away from Israeli army sites in residential areas in the north of the country.

In a statement in Arabic and Hebrew, reported by AFP, Hezbollah said that the “Israeli enemy army uses the homes of settlers in some settlements” in north Israel.

At least 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Jabalia, says Gaza’s civil defence agency

Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least 30 people have been killed by Israeli strikes throughout the day in northern Gaza’s Jabalia town and refugee camp on Friday.

At least 12 people were killed, including women and children, by a strike that occurred before 9.40pm local time (1840 GMT), according to the agency.

Before that incident, the director of the agency said 18 people had been killed by several Israeli strikes, including hits on eight schools in Jabalia camp that were serving as shelters for displaced people, AFP reported