India has expressed serious “concern” over the worsening conflict situation in West Asia as Israel has stepped up its resolve to target Hezbollah positions. New Delhi today issued a statement after UN peacekeepers deployed in southern Lebanon came under fire from Israeli forces.
There are about 900 Indian soldiers among the UN peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon. It is important to note that at the time the attack was carried out by Israeli forces, they were not at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL headquarters. Apart from the soldiers, about 25 staff officers including medical experts are deployed there.
“We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “We are monitoring the situation very closely,” he said.
New Delhi underlines the importance given to the United Nations’ The peacekeeping initiative says targeting of the UN compound cannot be allowed, and has a mandate to respect its sanctity.
The Ministry of External Affairs said, “The inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all and appropriate steps must be taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate.”
However, Israel has defended its actions, with the Israeli Defense Forces, or IDF, claiming that “Since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has fired more than 130 rockets at 26 UN facilities.”
The IDF also released a map in which it identified these locations as “less than 300 meters” from UN facilities.
What the UN said – Uniform Statement
The United Nations said, “Recent tensions along the Blue Line are leading to large-scale destruction of towns and villages in southern Lebanon, while rockets are being launched towards Israel, including civilian areas. In the past days we have heard reports of rockets being fired from Israel into Lebanon. I have seen infiltration.” Nakoura and other areas. “Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops have clashed with Hezbollah elements on the ground in Lebanon.”
It further said, ”UNIFIL’The Es Nakoura headquarters and nearby locations have been repeatedly attacked, “on Thursday” two peacekeepers were wounded after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower in UNIFIL.’headquarters at Nakoura, hit him directly and caused his fall. Fortunately, this time the injuries are not serious, but he is in the hospital.”
Speaking about the Israeli attack, the UN statement said that “IDF troops also fired on United Nations Position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, striking the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering. and damaged vehicles and communications systems. An IDF drone was seen flying up to the bunker entrance inside the UN position.”
UNIFIL and Lebanese authorities conduct one of the “Blue Barrels” in southern Lebanon in 2010, demarcating the Blue Line. (File) (Photo credit: un.org)
Based on various historical maps, some of which are nearly a century old, the Blue Line is not a border, but a temporary “line of withdrawal” set by the United Nations in 2000 for the practical purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. ” Is.
Whenever Israeli or Lebanese authorities wish to conduct any activity close to the Blue Line, UNIFIL requests that they provide advance notice, allowing the UN mission to keep authorities on all sides informed, to avoid any misunderstandings. Can be reduced which may increase stress.
israel’S letter to the United Nations
israel’The External Affairs Minister has written a letter to the United Nations clarifying its stand amid the ongoing and escalating crisis in the Middle East (West Asia), especially with regard to its operations in Lebanon.
In his letter, the minister wrote that “On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah, a terrorist, Iranian-backed organization, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel, joining the war started by Hezbollah on October 7, 2023. Since then they “Fired 13,000 projectiles, 1,500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive drones attacked Israeli communities, forcing more than 63,000 people to evacuate their homes.”
The minister further said that “This war imposed on Israel has so far resulted in 51 casualties and more than 372 injuries, in addition to causing serious damage to Israeli towns and villages.”
The minister said that as a result of Hezbollah'”A year later, on October 1, 2024, the IDF launched a targeted, limited raid campaign in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah’s military assets and infrastructure along the Blue Line, with the aim of destroying them and The action was to neutralize the ongoing threat.”
