ZAGREB, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Tuesday condemned Israel's repeated attacks on members of the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL), describing these acts as violations of international law and threats to peacekeeping efforts in the region.
In a statement published on social media, Milanovic said there is no justification for these attacks, and called on all belligerents, including the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), to immediately cease all forms of aggression.
He emphasized the importance of protecting UN personnel and facilities, in accordance with warnings from the United Nations Security Council. The UN peacekeepers are tasked with ensuring the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, which aims to maintain peace between Lebanon and Israel.
UNIFIL was established in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, restore peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in re-establishing authority in the region. The mission was expanded following the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 and currently has around 10,000 peacekeepers from around 50 countries.
Recent attacks by Israeli forces have injured several peacekeepers stationed in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded UNIFIL to withdraw from the areas where the Israeli military is temporarily operating. The UN, however, has said its peacekeeping forces will remain in southern Lebanon.
Milanovic said that one member of the Croatian Armed Forces is currently participating in the UNIFIL mission and is expected to return safely soon. ■
