United Nations warns of disaster risk in the Middle East

On October 12, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned of the risk of a regional conflict disaster, as the Israeli army launched attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip on two fronts.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti expressed concern that Israel's escalation of tensions with Hezbollah could soon escalate into a regional conflict, with catastrophic impacts on all people there.

UNIFIL said that in the past two days, five peacekeepers were injured in clashes in southern Lebanon.

According to spokesman Tenenti, the conflict has caused severe damage to UNIFIL bases. However, UNIFIL is determined to maintain its forces to ensure the UN presence in the area and report the situation to the Security Council.

On the same day, 40 countries sending troops to UNIFIL strongly protested recent attacks on peacekeeping forces.

In a joint statement posted on social network X by the Polish mission to the United Nations, the parties stressed that such actions must stop immediately and be investigated.

Among the countries signing the joint statement are China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Italy, Spain, France, Ghana.

The countries reaffirmed their support for the mandate and activities of UNIFIL to bring about lasting stability and peace in South Lebanon and the Middle East.

The statement urged the parties to the conflict to respect the presence of UNIFIL, including its obligation to ensure the safety and security of its personnel at all times.

In a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on October 12, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also expressed deep concern about Israeli forces attacking UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon. He called for ensuring the safety and security of UNIFIL.

UNIFIL currently has about 9,500 troops from many countries, with the mission of monitoring the 2006 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israeli airstrikes on three villages outside Hezbollah bases killed at least 15 people on October 12, according to Lebanese Health Ministry statistics.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it had struck about 280 targets in its military campaign in Lebanon and Gaza on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.