The United Nations Security Council condemned the killing of the 36-year-old Spanish peacekeeper working with the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon in the events that took place on Wednesday between Israel and Hezbollah.
During the UNSC’s meeting held upon France’s request to discuss “violence between Israel and Hezbollah,” Spain's ambassador to the United Nations Roman Oyarzun noted that the killing of the Spanish peacekeeper was the result of escalating violence, stressing that he was killed by Israeli gunfire.
He added that he called for a full investigation of the events.
For his part, Israel's UN Ambassador Ron Prosor urged the Security Council and the UN Secretary General to “unequivocally and publicly condemn Hezbollah,” warning that “Israel will not stand idly by while Hezbollah targets the Israeli.”
In turn, the US State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Bsaki noted that “Washington supports Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself,” reiterating the call on all the parties to respect the blue line between Lebanon and Israel.”
“We call on all the parties to avoid any act that may lead to escalation of the situation,” she said.
In this context, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon issued a statement, whereby he called for “exercising the utmost restraint,” urging all the parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel.