‘Safety And Security Are Paramount’: India Joins UN Peacekeeping Nations In Condemning Attacks In Lebanon

Dozens of nations, including India, that contribute to the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon have strongly condemned recent attacks on the peacekeepers in the country amid Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah.

“Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated,” said the joint statement on Saturday, signed by nations including leading contributors Indonesia and Italy. Other signatories include Ghana, Nepal, Malaysia, Spain and France — all countries that have contributed several hundred troops to the force.

At least five peacekeepers have been wounded in recent days as Israel takes its fight against Iran-backed Hezbollah into southern Lebanon which has stoked fear of larger conflict in the West Asia region. The peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, has accused the Israeli military of “deliberately” firing on its positions.

‘Lasting peace in Lebanon, Middle East’

The 40 contributing countries “reaffirm our full support for UNIFIL’s mission and activities, whose principal aim is to bring stabiliSation and lasting peace in South Lebanon as well as in the Middle East,” the statement read. “We urge the parties of the conflict to respect UNIFIL’s presence, which entails the obligation to guarantee the safety and security of its personnel at all times,” it added.

UNIFIL, which involves about 9,500 troops of some 50 nationalities, is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire that ended a 33-day war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah. Its role was bolstered by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of that year, which stipulated that only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should be deployed in south Lebanon.

Peacekeepers ‘repeatedly’ under fire

At a summit on Friday, French, Italian and Spanish leaders said the “attacks” on UNIFIL peacekeepers violated Resolution 1701 and must end. UNIFIL said that, in recent days, its forces have “repeatedly” come under fire in the Lebanese town of Naqura where it is headquartered, as well as in other positions. The mission said that Israeli tank fire on Thursday caused two Indonesian peacekeepers to fall off a watch tower in Naqura.

The following day it said explosions close to an observation tower in Naqura wounded two Sri Lankan Blue Helmets, while Israel said it had responded to an “immediate threat” near a UN peacekeeping position. On Saturday UNIFIL said a peacekeeper in Naqura “was hit by gunfire” on Friday night.

Deteriorating situation in Lebanon

Earlier on Friday, India expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in southern Lebanon following reports that UN peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli strike. “We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Without naming anyone directly, the MEA underlined that everyone must respect the inviolability of UN premises. “Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures are taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate,” the ministry said. This statement came as more than 900 Indian troops are currently serving in the United Nations Interim Force in South Lebanon (UNIFIL).

(Agency inputs)