22
Oct
2024
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Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the UN has failed in Lebanon. According to UN Resolution 1701, South Lebanon was to remain free from Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah, however, did not care and enlisted a huge force. Unifil stood there, looked at it and did nothing. Israel therefore had to intervene militarily, especially in view of the daily shelling since 7 October. Now that this is the reality, conflicts with Unifil must of course be avoided. But Unifil must also realize one thing very well: The civilian population deserves protection, Hezbollah does not. The moment Unifil gets in the way in the fight against Hezbollah, something fundamentally goes wrong. Unifil should – in line with Resolution 1701 – actually help to get Hezbollah out of the area. For example, by ensuring that arms supplies from Iran stop. The UN would do a great service to both the Lebanese and Israeli populations.