As is his custom, Ban chided the aggressor (Hezbollah) as well as the defender (Israel), condemning Hezbollah for its attack and expressing concern over Israel’s response.
United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon condemned the Hezbollah terror organization on Tuesday for its attack on IDF soldiers on the Lebanon-Israel border on Monday, but also expressed his concern over Israel’s response.
UN forces stationed in Lebanon have taken “immediate steps” through contacts with the parties to help restore calm in the area, the UN said in a statement.
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is investigating the circumstances of the incident in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces.
Ban called on “all parties” to maintain the cessation of hostilities and to “ensure full respect for Security Council resolution 1701” which is intended to resolve the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
IDF soldiers operating on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon came under attack by the Hezbollah terror organization on Monday when a large explosive charge exploded near their vehicles. There were no Israeli casualties in the incident.
Israel responded by firing artillery rounds at targets in Lebanon.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the incident, saying it was a revenge for the death of notorious terrorist Samir Kuntar who was killed in Syria two weeks ago, reportedly in an Israeli airstrike.
Israel’s envoy to the UN Danny Danon filed an official complaint with Ban and the UN Security Council (UNSC) following Monday’s attack.
“This is a blatant violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701,” Danon charged, adding that “the UN must condemn the terror attacks against Israel and demand Lebanon stop all terrorist activity coming from its territory.”
Danon stressed that Israel will not accept an attack on its sovereignty and will act on all fronts against those who use violence against it.
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel