Poland condemns Israel’s attack on UN troops in Lebanon

WARSAW, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) — Poland strongly condemns Israel’s attack on United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) peacekeeping force in Lebanon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Friday.
Kosiniak-Kamysz told journalists that that was an “unacceptable” attack, which the Polish side “condemns in the strongest possible terms,” despite the attack itself did not concern Polish soldiers.
He noted that the situation in the entire region, including the Polish-Irish base, is difficult and tense, adding that Poland is constantly monitoring the circumstances, supporting and undertaking coordinated actions with allies.
The minister also said that he will connect with the commander of the Polish Military Contingent in Lebanon later in the day to talk about the current situation.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired on UNIFIL’s positions on Thursday, injuring two peacekeepers at the mission headquarters in Naqoura, according to a UNIFIL statement.
Israeli soldiers also fired towards a second UN position in southern Lebanon, hitting the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging a communication system.
UNIFIL operates along the so-called “Blu Line” marking the separation between Israel and Lebanon, and currently counts some 10,000 peacekeepers contributed by 48 countries.
The latest events came amid an escalation along the Blue Line. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been launching intensive airstrikes across Lebanon and also launched a “limited” ground operation.
The total number of fatalities in Lebanon has exceeded 2,100, with over 10,000 individuals injured, according to Lebanese authorities. ■