Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday that the peacekeepers of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will not withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Speaking at a forum in Barcelona, Sanchez criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called on Sunday for the withdrawal of UNIFIL peacekeepers under the pretext of “protecting them”.
“We condemn, and will continue to condemn with all firmness, the statement made by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu [on Sunday],” said the Spanish PM.
Five UNIFIL members have been wounded in southern Lebanon in recent days during Israel’s attacks in Lebanese territory. UNIFIL has around 9,500 soldiers of various nationalities, and has accused the Israeli army of “deliberately” attacking their positions.
On Sunday, the UN Secretary-General denounced the attacks, saying that they could amount to a “war crime”.
Sanchez has been openly critical of Israel over its genocide in Gaza. He called on the international community yesterday to “suspend arms shipments to Israel immediately.” He also called on the European Commission to suspend trade agreements with Israel.
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