Ghana Seeks UN Inquiry into Missile Strike on Peacekeeping Unit in Lebanon

Ghana has formally requested the United Nations to initiate an investigation into the missile strikes that targeted its peacekeeping battalion stationed in Lebanon. The attack, which took place on Friday, resulted in the critical injury of two soldiers and left one other traumatised.

The Officers' Mess facility at the battalion's headquarters was also completely destroyed in the incident.

This development follows an escalation in the Middle East conflict, which saw Hezbollah launch rockets into Israel on Monday, widening the operational fronts of the ongoing conflict.

Since then, sporadic exchanges of fire have been occurring between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed group in Lebanon, signalling a broader regional impact.

The Ghana Armed Forces confirmed the casualties and the damage to the facility.

Ghanaian troops are deployed in Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), a mission tasked with monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, primarily operating in the southern part of the country.

Ghana has been a consistent contributor to this UN peacekeeping mission since 1978, marking it as one of the longest-serving participant nations.

While Ghana has not attributed the attack to any specific party, the nation has lodged a protest with the UN headquarters in New York, demanding an immediate, impartial, and transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the strike.

In a statement released on Saturday, Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared, "Ghana strongly condemns this attack and has further demanded that those responsible be identified and held accountable."

The ministry added, "The attack constitutes a grave violation of international law, amounts to a war crime and affronts the protections afforded to United Nations peacekeeping personnel."

The Ghanaian government has urged the UN to implement all necessary measures to guarantee the safety and security of the Ghanaian contingent serving with UNIFIL, as well as all other personnel deployed with the mission, acknowledging their sacrifices in the service of humanity.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the ongoing missile strikes across various Lebanese cities and residential areas have resulted in 217 fatalities and 798 injuries, with approximately 95,000 individuals displaced.