Türkiye condemns Israel’s attack on UN forces in Lebanon
Entrance to the compound of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, Türkiye. (AA Photo)
On Thursday, Türkiye condemned Israel’s attacks targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“Israel’s attack on U.N. forces, following its massacres of civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, is a manifestation of its perception that its crimes go unpunished. The international community is obligated to ensure that Israel abides by international law,” stated the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
The ministry highlighted Türkiye’s contribution to UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, which includes one corvette/frigate and five personnel stationed at the U.N. force’s headquarters.
It emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at fostering peace in the region in accordance with international law.
Earlier Thursday, UNIFIL reported that its headquarters in Naqoura and two nearby sites had been struck by Israeli forces. An Israeli Merkava tank fired on an observation tower, directly hitting it and injuring two peacekeepers, who were hospitalized with minor injuries.
Since September 23, Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah positions. These attacks have resulted in at least 1,323 fatalities, over 3,700 injuries, and the displacement of more than 1.2 million people.
This escalation follows a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, compounded by Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, which has claimed over 42,000 lives, predominantly women and children, since the onset of conflict after a Hamas attack last year.
Despite international warnings of a potential regional war, Israel expanded its military actions on October 1 by launching a ground incursion into southern Lebanon.
