MANILA, Philipppines — The Philippines and forty other countries contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon condemned recent Israeli attacks on the mission and called for an investigation.

Through its Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Philippines issued a separate statement on the status of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday condemning any action that would endanger the safety and security of UN Peacekeepers as they fulfill their mandate under the United Nations Charter.

The Philippines also called on all UN member states to help ensure the safety of peacekeepers while carrying out assignments.

"We urge all UN Member States to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure peacekeepers can carry out their critical work. Violations of peacekeeping mandates undermine the rules-based international order and destabilize regions where peace efforts are most needed," the DFA stated.

"We reaffirm our commitment to multilateral cooperation to promote international peace and security," the agency added.

On Oct. 13, 2024, 40 countries issued a statement strongly condemning recent attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers. "Such actions must stop immediately and be adequately investigated," they said.

The Polish mission to the UN published a statement on X stating, "We consider UNIFIL's role as particularly crucial in light of the escalating situation in the region."

The statement urged all conflict parties to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel, enabling them to continue their mediation and support for peace and stability.

UNIFIL said that its facilities have been "repeatedly hit" and that Israeli forces had "deliberately" fired shots at the mission's headquarters in the town of Naqoura.

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