Security Council voices ‘strong concern’ over Israel attacks on UN peacekeepers

A plane takes off from Rafik Hariri international airport as smoke of a past Israeli airstrike still rise from Dahiyeh, in Beirut (Hussein Malla/AP)

The UN Security Council has expressed “strong concern” after Israel fired on and wounded UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon during intensified fighting, reiterating its support for their role in supporting security in the region.

It is the first statement by the UN’s most powerful body since Israel’s attacks on the positions of the peacekeeping force known as Unifil began last week, drawing international condemnation.