A day after it expressed concern over the deteriorating safety scenario alongside the Israel-Lebanon border, India Saturday joined the troop-contributing international locations within the UN Interim Power in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and aligned itself in opposition to Israeli army’s motion that has wounded two UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
The Everlasting Mission of India on the UN in New York, in a submit on X, mentioned: “As a serious Troop Contributing Nation, India aligns itself absolutely with the joint assertion issued by the 34 UNIFIL troop contributing international locations. Security and safety of peacekeepers are of paramount significance and should be ensured in accordance with extant UNSC Resolutions.”
Two UN peacekeepers from Sri Lanka had been wounded in an Israeli strike Friday close to their watchtower in Naqoura in south Lebanon, Israel’s army mentioned, whereas blasts shook the peacekeepers’ essential base within the space for the second time in 48 hours as Israeli forces battled the Hezbollah.
The UNIFIL drive referred to as it a “critical improvement” and mentioned the safety of UN personnel and property should be assured.
The drive has greater than 10,000 peacekeepers from dozens of nations, and Indian troops account for the second largest quantity with about 900 personnel serving there.
The joint assertion by the troop contributing international locations “strongly condemned” the assaults on the UNIFIL peacekeepers and mentioned that “such actions should cease instantly” and “needs to be adequately investigated”.
Whereas the 34 troop contributing international locations had put out the assertion at 7.01 pm IST, the Indian assertion “aligning” itself with the assertion got here an hour-and-half later at 8.35 pm IST.
This assertion additionally displays India’s disquiet over Israel’s actions focusing on the UN forces — a really completely different place from its balancing act, and help for Israel’s actions in opposition to Hamas and Hezbollah over the past one 12 months, particularly in the previous few months.
On Friday, India expressed concern over the “deteriorating” safety scenario amid experiences that UN peacekeepers have been caught within the intensified preventing in southern Lebanon.
“We’re involved on the deteriorating safety scenario alongside the Blue Line. We proceed to observe the scenario carefully,” the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) mentioned.
The 120-km Blue Line is a UN-recognised demarcation line indicating withdrawal of Israeli army from southern Lebanon. It separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, however it’s not an official worldwide border.
“Inviolability of UN premises should be revered by all, and applicable measures taken to make sure the security of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate,” the MEA mentioned.
On October 10, the UNIFIL mentioned that “current escalation alongside the Blue Line is inflicting widespread destruction of cities and villages in south Lebanon”.
“Prior to now days, we’ve got seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and different areas. Israel Protection Forces (IDF) troopers have clashed with Hizbullah parts on the bottom in Lebanon,” it mentioned in a press release.
Defending Israeli army actions, Israel’s Ambassador to India Reuven Azar mentioned Friday that Hezbollah was firing at Israel near UNIFIL posts, utilizing the peacekeepers as a protect. “Lebanese Hizbollah is firing at Israel in proximity to UNIFIL outposts, criminally utilizing them as a protect. Israel will proceed to take measures to safeguard UN forces and coordinate with all accountable stakeholders vital steps to maintain their security,” he mentioned in a submit on X.
