EU condemns killing of UN peacekeeper in Lebanon, calls for accountability

BRUSSELS — European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Sunday condemned the killing of another UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeper and called for those responsible to be held accountable.In a statement, Kallas said the EU urges all parties to fully comply with the terms of the agreement between Israel and Hezbollah and reject what she described as any additional conditions imposed by the Lebanese group.She warned that the Lebanese people continue to pay a “heavy and unacceptable” humanitarian and socio-economic price as a result of ongoing escalation and airstrikes.“The EU demands the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, calling for the respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by Israel and the disarmament of non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah,” the statement said.Kallas also reaffirmed the EU’s full support for UNIFIL and its mandate in southern Lebanon.The bloc “strongly condemns all attacks against its personnel, including the killing of another UNIFIL soldier in the attacks of June 4, the seventh peacekeeper to have died since March,” she said, extending condolences to the victim’s family.“The killing of peacekeepers is a violation of international law and must be met with full accountability,” the statement added.The latest comments come amid continued tensions in southern Lebanon despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and preserve stability along the border.