The European Union has strongly called for enhanced protection of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) following the recent killing of three peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, along with the EU’s High Representative, urged all parties involved to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities under all circumstances, in line with international law.

The statement reaffirmed the EU’s firm support for UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon and stressed the importance of maintaining open communication channels to prevent misunderstandings and escalation. Officials also strongly condemned the recent attacks targeting UN peacekeeping forces, describing the resulting casualties as unacceptable.

Furthermore, the ministers called on Israel to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further escalate tensions, including the possibility of launching a ground operation on Lebanese territory.

The EU emphasized that safeguarding peacekeeping missions remains critical to maintaining stability in the region and preventing a broader conflict.