Israeli forces shelled a watchtower near the headquarters of the UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in the Lebanese town of Naqoura on Friday, injuring two people, Reuters reported, citing a UN source.
A day earlier, reports emerged of three other UNIFIL positions being shelled. Israel’s actions have been criticized by the Italian authorities, as Italian soldiers make up the largest contingent of the more than 10,000-strong UNIFIL force.
"We strongly condemn acts of aggression against UN soldiers. We express firm opposition to the aggressive actions of the Israeli army near peacekeeping forces," emphasized Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland's Minister of National Defense, via social media.
The politician reassured that recent incidents in areas where Polish soldiers are stationed, related to Israeli military actions along the border with Lebanon, have not affected the Polish troops deployed there. He received this confirmation during a phone conversation with Lt. Col. Michał Fabiszewski, the commander of the Polish military contingent in UNIFIL, Lebanon.
During a press conference on Friday, Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz condemned the attack, labeling it unacceptable and calling for an end to such actions. Although the attack did not involve Polish soldiers, the minister noted that the situation in the region, including the Polish-Irish base, is difficult and tense.
Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that Poland is monitoring the situation and taking allied actions, but could do even better if a Polish ambassador to Israel were appointed. He also urged President Andrzej Duda, indicating that now is a good time to make a decision regarding this nomination.
Dispute over Polish ambassador nominations continues
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski reported that his proposal for the ambassador to Israel, concerning former head of the Intelligence Agency Maciej Hunia, received positive opinions from the Foreign Service Council and the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as approval from Israel; however, the president has not signed off on this nomination.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Paweł Wroński, confirmed that Hunia will soon take over the leadership of the Polish embassy in Israel, but currently without formal ambassadorial nomination.
The conflict between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the president regarding ambassadorial nominations has been ongoing since March, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk accusing President Andrzej Duda of blocking nominations in key countries, while Duda responded that the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are responsible for the absence of ambassadors.
As we previously reported on Radio Poland, the Polish Prime Minister criticized the president for blocking ambassadorial nominations. In his view, Duda’s refusal to approve new ambassadors amid the highly tense international situation is "extremely irresponsible."
The Polish president, in turn, shifts the blame for the absence of Polish ambassadors in countries like Israel, the USA, and Ukraine onto the government, claiming that he has not dismissed any diplomats himself.
Read more about this subject:
Source: IAR/PAP/X/@KosiniakKamysz/@sikorskiradek/@UNIFIL_
(m p)