The Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly condemned the recent missile strike reportedly carried out by Israeli forces on a base of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that resulted in critically injuring Ghanaian peacekeepers, describing the incident as deeply troubling and unacceptable under international law.
The attack occurred on March 6, 2026, when missiles struck the headquarters of the Ghanaian battalion serving under the UNIFIL mission in southern Lebanon. The incident left two Ghanaian soldiers critically injured, while another peacekeeper reportedly suffered psychological trauma.
The strike also caused significant damage to the base, including the destruction of the Officers’ Mess facility.
The Minority’s concerns were conveyed during a meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, where members of the caucus condemned the incident and called for accountability. They emphasized that Ghanaian troops serving in Lebanon are deployed under a United Nations mandate and are not parties to the hostilities in the region.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel A. Jinapor, reaffirmed Ghana’s longstanding reputation in international peacekeeping operations. He noted that Ghanaian soldiers have consistently demonstrated discipline and dedication in conflict zones across the world.
According to him, the presence of the peacekeepers in Lebanon forms part of a broader international effort to maintain stability, monitor ceasefire arrangements, and protect civilian populations in a highly volatile environment.
“These are men and women who have left their homes and families to serve under the mandate of the United Nations in the interest of global peace and security. They are not combatants in the conflict but peacekeepers tasked with maintaining stability and protecting innocent civilians,” he stated.
The Minority stressed that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers undermine international peacekeeping efforts and threaten the credibility of multilateral security frameworks designed to manage conflicts around the world. Under established principles of international humanitarian law, personnel engaged in peacekeeping missions are entitled to protection given to civilians, and any deliberate attack against them constitutes a serious violation of international law.
The UNIFIL has similarly emphasized that “Any attack on UNIFIL peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 1701 and may amount to a war crime”.
In light of these concerns, the Minority called for a full, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike. It argued the United Nations and relevant international authorities to determine the source of the attack and ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable.
The Minority also called for strengthened security arrangements around UN peacekeeping installations in Lebanon and renewed efforts by all parties to respect their obligations under international law, including the protection of United Nations personnel and facilities.
The lawmakers further urged the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Armed Forces to continue engaging with the leadership of the United Nations to ensure that adequate protective measures are in place for Ghanaian troops currently deployed in Lebanon and other conflict-affected areas.
Beyond the legal and security implications, the Minority emphasized the human cost of such incidents. They noted that every Ghanaian peacekeeper deployed abroad represents not only Ghana’s dedication to global peace but also families and communities back home whose wellbeing is tied to the safety of those serving overseas.
The caucus commended the courage and professionalism of Ghanaian soldiers serving in peacekeeping missions worldwide and reaffirmed its support for Ghana’s continued contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
However, the Minority stressed that the safety, welfare, and dignity of Ghanaian troops must remain paramount.
They concluded by expressing solidarity with the injured peacekeepers and their families while urging swift international action to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Source: gbcghanaonline.com
