The leaders of France, Italy, and Spain released a joint statement on Friday condemning the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for “unjustifiable” attacks on United Nations peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon earlier that day.

The countries’ leaders stated: “These attacks constitute [a] serious violation of the obligations of Israel under UNSCR 1701 and under humanitarian international law… Those attacks are unjustifiable and shall immediately come to an end.”

UNSCR 1701, a resolution by the UN Security Council that was unanimously adopted in 2006, called for a full cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and established a buffer zone in southern Lebanon. The joint statement on Friday demanded immediate adherence to the terms of UNSCR 1701 by all parties involved, emphasizing that peacekeepers must be protected.

Two peacekeepers were wounded on Friday morning when an Israeli tank opened fire on their observation tower. This marked the second such incident in just 48 hours, as explosions had rocked the peacekeepers’ main base in Naqoura earlier this week. The peacekeepers are part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and serve in the region under a UN mandate to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. France, Italy, and Spain are among the largest European contributors to the UNIFIL mission.

Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris also criticized the attacks, stating that “Israel must listen to the voice and the concerns of the international community.” UN Peacekeeping Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix further emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning that peacekeepers and civilians in Lebanon are at “serious risk.” He urged all parties to respect and guarantee the safety of personnel.

The two incidents occurred amid the ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese Islamist militant group, have sharply escalated since October 2023. The hostilities are linked to the broader conflict between Israel and Palestinian groups, with Hezbollah expressing solidarity with Gaza. Both sides have engaged in frequent exchanges of fire along the Israel-Lebanon border, causing widespread displacement and raising humanitarian concerns.