In a joint statement on Saturday (October 12, 2024), the 34 countries contributing troops to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) condemned the ongoing attacks on peacekeepers and called on all to respect UNIFIL’s mission and Called for ensuring the safety of its personnel. India, which has 903 personnel working under UNIFIL, is not among the 34 countries listed in the joint statement, but said soon after the statement was released that it “fully associates itself with it”.
The statement comes as the ongoing ground fighting between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah continues to attack the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura on Friday night (October 11, 2024), killing at least five peacekeepers in the last three Have been injured. Day.
“As a major troop contributing country, India is fully in line with the joint statement issued by the 34 UNIFIL troop contributing countries. The safety and security of peacekeepers is paramount and must be ensured in accordance with existing UNSC resolutions,” India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York said on social media platform X.
Following the IDF attack on UNIFIL headquarters on Thursday (October 10, 2024), India had said on Friday (October 11, 2024) that it was concerned about the “deteriorating security situation” along the Blue Line (which borders Lebanon). “Worried”. from Israel and the Golan Heights), and stressed that the “inviolability” of UN premises must be respected by all.
“We consider the role of UNIFIL to be particularly important in view of the escalating situation in the region… We urge the parties to the conflict to respect UNIFIL’s presence, including at all times, to guarantee the safety and security of its personnel. obligation, so they can continue to implement their mandate and continue their work of mediation and support for peace and stability in Lebanon and the entire region,” said the joint statement, supported by 34 of UNIFIL’s 50 troop contributing countries. The statement said.
UNIFIL said on Saturday (October 12, 2024), “Last night, a peacekeeper at the headquarters in Nakoura was hit by gunfire due to the ongoing military activity nearby and he underwent surgery at our Nakoura hospital to remove the bullet and At present his condition is stable.” , “We do not yet know the origin of the fire. “Also last night, our UN buildings in Ramiyah suffered significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling.”
It reiterated, “We remind all parties of their obligations to ensure the security of United Nations personnel and premises, including refraining from combat activities near UNIFIL positions.”
Defense sources here said all Indian peacekeepers are safe under UNIFIL, adding that UNIFIL had advised to implement force protection measures following the IDF attack on Thursday (October 10, 2024), in which two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed. Were injured.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a very brief statement on Friday. (October 11, 2024) “The inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate steps must be taken to ensure the safety and sanctity of UN peacekeepers.” Mandate,” it said.
The Foreign Ministry’s slow response was criticized on social media amid strong condemnation from many countries over the IDF attack.
“A serious reaction to the gross violation of the sanctity of UN peacekeepers (including 900 Indian personnel) in Lebanon. The IDF’s targeting of a UN post with tanks reflects the great spirit of impunity!” In May 2023, Indian Colonel Kale (retd), who was then a part of the UN staff, was “killed in Gaza by Israeli firing”, former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash said on Twitter in reference to the MEA statement. .
France summoned Israel’s ambassador on Friday (October 11, 2024) over the attacks and issued a joint statement with Italy and Spain saying such attacks were “unjustified”.
On Thursday (October 10, 2024) UNIFIL said that its Nakoura headquarters and surrounding sites had been repeatedly attacked. “This morning, two peacekeepers were injured when an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon towards an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Nakoura, hitting them directly and causing them to fall. Fortunately, this time the injuries are not serious, but he is in the hospital,” it had said.
It said IDF troops had also fired on UN positions in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to a bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and communications systems. An IDF drone was seen flying up to the entrance of the bunker inside a UN position, the statement said, adding that IDF soldiers “deliberately” opened fire on Wednesday (October 9, 2024) and Deactivated the cameras monitoring the perimeter of the situation. “They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Nakoura, where regular trilateral meetings were held before the outbreak of conflict, causing damage to lighting and a relay station,” UNIFIL said.
UNIFIL said on Friday (October 11, 2024) that two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured after two explosions occurred close to an observation tower at Nakoura headquarters. “Today, at our UN location 1-31, near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, several T-walls collapsed when an IDF caterpillar hit the perimeter and IDF tanks moved close to the UN location. Our peacekeepers remained in place, and a UNIFIL rapid reaction force was dispatched to assist and reinforce the situation,” UNIFIL said on Friday (October 11, 2024).
Describing the force protection measures taken, defense sources said they included access control to UN posts; administrative activities “limited to the essentials”; Operating from secure locations, ensuring that UN mandates are carried out; And if there is danger, take appropriate approval and then take required action. Sources stressed that the focus is on prevention, and response is the last resort.
concerned elected member
Amid rising tensions, the 10 elected members of the UNSC on Thursday (October 10, 2024) expressed their “deep concern” over the targeting of UNIFIL posts, calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and the security of UNIFIL Did. Personnel and premises. A press release issued by the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations said, “They underlined that any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and “Must be stopped immediately.”
Expressing deep concern over the increasing civilian casualties and suffering, destruction of civilian infrastructure and increasing numbers of internally displaced people in Lebanon, the 10 countries called for an immediate ceasefire and strict compliance with international humanitarian law.
published – October 12, 2024 10:43 PM IST