Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and six additional nations have strongly condemned the recent killings of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon, urging an immediate end to the ongoing hostilities in the country. Since March, Israeli military operations have resulted in over 2,000 fatalities.
In a joint declaration, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom expressed deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian crisis and the massive displacement affecting Lebanon. Notably, the statement refrained from explicitly naming Israel or Hezbollah, despite the conflict involving these parties.
The condemnation follows the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers last month. Preliminary United Nations investigations revealed that one peacekeeper was killed by an Israeli tank shell, while two others died from an improvised explosive device likely planted by Hezbollah.
Hostilities escalated after Hezbollah launched missile attacks on Israel on March 2, shortly after the United States and Israel initiated military action against Iran. Israel has since expanded its ground offensive into southern Lebanon, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians from their villages. Lebanese authorities report that the Israeli campaign has caused over 2,000 deaths and displaced approximately 1.2 million people.
Hezbollah’s missile strikes have primarily targeted towns near Israel’s northern border but have also reached major urban centers. Israel reports that since March 2, two civilians and 13 soldiers have been killed due to these attacks.
The ten countries’ joint statement strongly condemned the actions leading to the deaths of UN peacekeepers and highlighted the increased dangers faced by humanitarian workers in southern Lebanon. The statement referenced Israel only in relation to the ceasefire agreement involving the United States and Israel’s conflict with Iran.
Welcoming the ceasefire brokered between the United States, Israel, and Iran, the countries called for an urgent cessation of hostilities in Lebanon. The U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran on Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. bases. These confrontations have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.
The fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in effect with one week remaining. Iran insists that any comprehensive agreement to end the broader conflict must include Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. However, Israel has rejected discussions of a ceasefire in Lebanon and insists that Beirut disarm Hezbollah.
