The European Union issued a strong condemnation on Monday regarding the assaults on U.N. peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, dismissing Israeli claims that the presence of U.N. forces was hindering military actions against Hezbollah. Since the onset of Israel’s ground offensive against the militant group Hezbollah, five peacekeeping personnel have sustained injuries due to attacks, the majority of which the EU attributes to Israeli military activities. Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, emphasized the significance of the peacekeepers’ operations and labeled any aggression toward them as “completely unacceptable.”

Israel has ramped up its military efforts against Hezbollah following over a year of intermittent clashes, all while simultaneously waging a war against Hamas in the Gaza region. Israeli assaults in Gaza have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 42,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. They have not clarified how many of the deceased were combatants, but it has been noted that women and children account for more than half of those fatalities. The ongoing conflict has led to extensive destruction across Gaza, displacing nearly 90% of its total population of 2.3 million.

This conflict marks over a year since militants from Hamas breached Israel’s security barrier, attacking military installations and civilian areas and resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities, predominantly among civilians. Additionally, they abducted around 250 individuals, with about 100 of those remaining in captivity in Gaza, a third of whom are presumed deceased.

In Brussels, the EU has reiterated its condemnation of the hostility directed at U.N. peacekeepers. It has also publicly refuted accusations implicating U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in the disruption of Israeli military initiatives. Sixteen member states of the EU are contributing to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Borrell made it clear that decisions about UNIFIL’s operations lie with the U.N. Security Council, urging a cessation of blame directed at Guterres.

Addressing the issue, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on UNIFIL to comply with Israeli warnings for evacuation, claiming the force unintentionally shields Hezbollah. In a message directed to Guterres, whom Israel has barred from entering the country, Netanyahu insisted on the necessity of removing UNIFIL from what he termed a “danger zone.” Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, a staunch supporter of Israel, stated that UNIFIL will not abandon its mission, asserting, “No, they will not withdraw. Yes, they will continue to fulfill the mandate.” He emphasized the essential need for all parties involved to respect the security of U.N. forces.

In a separate development in the Gaza Strip, the Health Ministry announced the initiation of a second round of polio vaccination efforts aimed at children under the age of ten amid the ongoing conflict. This follow-up campaign will take place over the next three days in the central area of Gaza and will later expand to the northern and southern regions. This vaccination drive follows the territory’s first case of polio in 25 years, affecting a 10-month-old boy who has since experienced paralysis in one leg. Despite numerous challenges, including persistent violence and damaged infrastructure, health workers have successfully vaccinated approximately 560,000 children during the first round.

The World Health Organization confirmed that efforts to create humanitarian pauses last month for this campaign were largely effective.

In Wellington, New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon remarked on the situation, stating, “It is totally, utterly unacceptable for Israel to be targeting U.N. Peacekeepers.” He expressed the sentiment that there is widespread global outrage regarding Israel’s attacks on U.N. facilities, highlighting the peacekeeping mission’s purpose to maintain order along the border.