Brazil condemns Israeli attacks on UN bases in Lebanon
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (Oct. 14) condemned Israel's attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stating that such actions violate international law.
"Brazil strongly condemns the October 13 invasion of a UNIFIL peacekeeping mission base in Lebanon by Israeli armed forces. Two tanks destroyed the main gate and entered the base, where they remained for 45 minutes while shots were fired in the neighborhood," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The Brazilian government highlighted that this marked the third consecutive day of Israeli attacks on UNIFIL personnel or facilities since last week, which left five members of the peacekeeping mission injured. " Brazil repudiates the systematic violations verified in recent days," the statement read, noting that Brazilian military forces led the UNIFIL maritime mission from 2011 to 2021.
“Deliberate attacks against members of UN peacekeeping missions and facilities are absolutely unacceptable and constitute a serious violation of international law, international humanitarian law, and UN Security Council resolutions,” added the Foreign Ministry.
The statement also criticized the Israeli government's call for the withdrawal of UNIFIL from southern Lebanon and its position on ending hostilities.
“The peacekeeping mission was established by the Security Council in 1978 and has since worked to maintain peace and security in southern Lebanon. It supports the Lebanese government in reasserting its authority in the region, facilitates the return of displaced civilians, provides humanitarian assistance, and works to prevent the area from being used by armed groups,” the statement reads.
Lebanon
In recent weeks, Israel has carried out a series of massive bombings and attacks on Lebanese territory, displacing an estimated 1.2 million people in the region.
The Israeli government states that its efforts are aimed at dismantling the Hezbollah group, which controls southern Lebanon. Since October 8, 2023, Hezbollah has conducted attacks against Israeli military installations in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
