A group of countries contributing troops to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon warned Wednesday that the escalating hostilities in the country risk further destabilizing the region, calling on all sides to return immediately to the ceasefire framework and respect international law.

The statement was made in a joint statement issued by Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Moldova, Nepal, North Macedonia, Panama, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

The countries, which contribute troops to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and were joined by several other member states, expressed “deep alarm at the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, urging all parties to return to the cessation of hostilities arrangement and to respect United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006).

“Faced with war, Lebanon must be supported. Its sovereignty and territorial integrity must be preserved,” the statement said. “We express our full solidarity with Lebanon and the Lebanese people.”

The signatories strongly criticized Hezbollah’s involvement in the regional escalation, accusing the group of drawing Lebanon into a conflict against the will of its population.

“We condemn in the strongest terms Hezbollah’s reckless decision to join the Iranian attacks against Israel since March 2, 2026, dragging Lebanon in a war neither its authorities nor its population wanted,” the statement said.

The countries urged the group “to immediately cease its fire toward Israel, and to give up its weapons,” while voicing support for efforts by the Lebanese government to implement Resolution 1701 and assert state authority.

They praised recent steps taken by Beirut, saying they “commend the Lebanese government’s recent decisions to dismantle Hezbollah’s security and military activities in Lebanon and to implement by all means phase 2 of the Nation Shield Plan for the State monopoly on weapons.”

The countries also signaled readiness to strengthen assistance to the Lebanese state and its armed forces.

“We stand ready to increase our support to the Lebanese State’s sovereignty and its armed forces to ensure control of the territory and stabilise the country,” the statement said, welcoming President Joseph Aoun’s “four-point initiative, including the call for direct negotiations under international auspices.”

At the same time, the signatories urged Israel to exercise restraint.

“We urge Israel to abstain from attacks against civilian infrastructure and heavily populated areas and to respect the Lebanese sovereignty and its territorial integrity,” the statement said.

The countries stressed that all sides must respect international law, including international humanitarian law, and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

They warned that the humanitarian toll of the conflict was mounting, noting that “nearly a million Lebanese civilians have had to flee their homes following Israeli evacuation orders to escape hostilities.”

The group pledged to support Lebanon’s response to the crisis.

“We commit to support the Lebanese government’s response to the needs of the displaced population and their host communities,” the statement said, adding that assistance would be coordinated with humanitarian actors in Lebanon, including UN agencies, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, and international and local NGOs.

The signatories also reaffirmed their strong backing for UNIFIL’s mission in southern Lebanon.

“We reaffirm our strong support for the mandate of UNIFIL in South Lebanon, whose work is essential to support the sovereignty, territorial integrity and stability of Lebanon as enshrined in UNSC resolution 1701,” the statement said.

They condemned an attack that targeted UN peacekeepers earlier this month.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the attack that affected the Ghanaian contingent of UNIFIL in its base in southwestern Lebanon on March 6, 2026. Those responsible for the attack must be held accountable,” the countries said, expressing solidarity with the government of Ghana and wishing “the wounded peacekeepers a speedy recovery.”

The statement concluded with a call for the protection of UN personnel.

“We urge all parties, under all circumstances, to ensure the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises, in accordance with international law,” it said. “Peacekeepers must never be the target of attacks or intimidation of any kind.”

The countries also praised the work of the peacekeeping force, commending “the courage, professionalism and dedication of UNIFIL peacekeepers in the fulfilment of their mandate.”