Canada, UK and Allies Strongly Condemn Attack on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
WASHINGTON — Ten countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, issued a joint statement on Tuesday condemning the killings of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon and calling for an urgent end to hostilities in the country, where Israeli attacks have killed more than 2,000 people since March.
The statement, also signed by Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Sierra Leone, and Switzerland, expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation and displacement crisis in Lebanon. It did not directly mention US ally Israel or Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
The condemnation follows the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers last month. The UN has said preliminary findings showed one was killed by an Israeli tank projectile and two by an improvised explosive device most likely placed by Hezbollah.
“We condemn in the strongest terms actions that have killed UN peacekeepers and significantly increased the risks faced by humanitarian personnel in southern Lebanon,” the countries said. They welcomed the ceasefire agreed between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and called for an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon.
Israel intensified air attacks on Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on March 2, three days into the US-Israeli war on Iran. The Israeli offensive has killed over 2,000 people and forced 1.2 million from their homes, according to Lebanese authorities. Hezbollah missile fire has killed two Israelis and 13 soldiers since March 2, Israel says.
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