Safety of UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon Crucial

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

India emphasizes the safety of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. The recent attacks by Israeli forces highlight the need for their protection. The Indian Mission fully supports the joint statement of 34 countries backing UNIFIL.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

India has recently emphasized the safety of United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) posts after an attack by Israeli forces in Lebanon. The Indian Mission stated that as a major troop-contributing country, it fully aligns with the joint statement issued by the 34 countries supporting UNIFIL. India asserted that “the safety and security of peacekeepers are of paramount importance and must be ensured in accordance with extant UNSC resolutions.”

Notably, 600 Indian soldiers are part of UNIFIL and are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border. On Saturday, UNIFIL issued a statement revealing that a peacekeeper was injured at their Naqoura headquarters due to gunfire. The peacekeeper, who was shot, underwent surgery at a local hospital and is now in stable condition.

UNIFIL reminded all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and premises, which includes avoiding combat activities near UNIFIL positions. This statement followed two incidents involving Israeli military action. On Friday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) admitted that its troops had fired at a UNIFIL post in Naqoura, injuring two Sri Lankan peacekeepers. The IDF explained that soldiers had identified a perceived threat and responded accordingly, promising a thorough investigation “at the highest levels.”

A day earlier, two Indonesian UNIFIL soldiers were injured after falling from an observation tower when an Israeli tank fired in their direction. The UN’s top peacekeeping official, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, indicated that there were signs some of the firing on UN positions may have been deliberate, stating, “We have a case where a tower was hit by fire, and there was damage to cameras, which to us looked like direct fire.”

Tensions have escalated along the Israel-Lebanon border as Israeli forces continue their ground invasion of southern Lebanon, launched in response to Hezbollah’s aggression. The IDF stated that over 100 rockets were fired into northern Israel from Lebanon on Friday, with drones also crossing into Israeli airspace.

This violence has sparked global outrage. France, Italy, and Spain jointly condemned Israel’s actions against UN posts, calling them “unjustifiable.” Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry strongly condemned the attack that injured its peacekeepers.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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