A former Deputy Minister of Defence, Derrick Oduro, says recent tensions between Israel and Lebanon that affected Ghanaian peacekeepers may have been triggered by wider Middle East hostilities involving Iran.
Speaking on iKulcha on iKulcha TV and Radio Kulcha, Major Oduro explained that the conflict escalated after strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran.
According to him, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah believed it needed to support Iran in the conflict and therefore became involved in the confrontation. He noted that this development prompted Israel to intensify its military actions in Lebanon, which led to the recent firing in areas where international peacekeepers are stationed.
Major Oduro said the situation unfortunately affected Ghanaian troops serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The peacekeeping base hosting Ghanaian soldiers in southern Lebanon was hit by missile strikes amid exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.
The attack left at least two Ghanaian soldiers critically injured while another officer suffered trauma after the base was struck during heavy fighting in the area.
Major Oduro stressed that Ghana’s peacekeepers are deployed to maintain stability and not to take part in the conflict, urging all parties involved in the Middle East crisis to respect international law and ensure the safety of UN personnel operating in the region.
