In a joint assertion on Saturday (12 October 2024), 34 troop-contributing nations to the United Nations Interim Pressure in Lebanon (UNIFIL) condemned ongoing assaults on peacekeepers and known as on all to respect the mission of UNIFIL and make sure the security of its personnel. India, which has 903 troops serving UNIFIL, just isn’t among the many 34 nations listed within the joint assertion, however mentioned shortly after the assertion was issued that it “absolutely aligns” with it.
The assertion got here because the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura continues to be affected by ongoing floor preventing between the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah, the newest on Friday (October 11, 2024) night, with not less than 5 peacekeepers injured within the final three. days.
“As a serious troop-contributing nation, India absolutely aligns itself with the joint assertion issued by the 34 troop-contributing nations to UNIFIL. The protection of peacekeepers is of utmost significance and should be ensured in accordance with the present UN Safety Council Resolutions,” India’s Everlasting Mission to the UN in New York mentioned on social media platform X.
After the UNIFIL headquarters was attacked by the IDF on Thursday (Oct 10, 2024), India had mentioned on Friday (Oct 11, 2024) that it was “involved” concerning the “deterioration” of the safety state of affairs. alongside the Blue Line (which demarcates Lebanon). of Israel and the Golan Heights), and careworn that everybody should respect the “inviolability” of UN services.
“We think about the position of UNIFIL as significantly essential in mild of the escalating state of affairs within the area… We urge the events to the battle to respect the presence of UNIFIL, which means the duty to make sure the safety of their employees always, in order that they’ll proceed to implement their mandate and proceed their work mediating and supporting peace and stability in Lebanon and all through the area,” says the joint assertion endorsed by 34 of the 50 contributing nations. troops to UNIFIL.
“Final night time, a peacekeeper at Naqoura headquarters was hit by gunfire on account of ongoing army exercise close by and underwent surgical procedure at our Naqoura hospital to take away the bullet and is presently secure,” he mentioned. UNIFIL on Saturday (12 October 2024). . “We nonetheless have no idea the origin of the hearth. “Additionally final night time, buildings at our UN place in Ramyah suffered vital harm on account of explosions from close by shelling,” he added.
“We remind all actors of their obligations to make sure the safety of UN personnel and services, together with avoiding fight actions close to UNIFIL positions,” he reiterated.
All Indian peacekeepers beneath UNIFIL are protected, protection sources right here mentioned, including that UNIFIL had really useful that pressure safety measures be put in place after it was attacked by the IDF on Thursday (Oct 10, 2024), which left two Indonesian peacekeepers injured.
India’s Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) issued a really transient assertion on Friday. (October 11, 2024) “Everybody should respect the sanctity of UN services and take acceptable measures to make sure the protection of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate,” he mentioned.
The MEA’s average response, amid sturdy condemnation from a number of nations for the IDF assault, acquired criticism on social media.
“A bland response to a blatant violation of the sanctity of UN peacekeepers (together with 900 Indian troops) in Lebanon. “The IDF tank assault on a UN publish conveys an enormous sense of impunity!” mentioned former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash in Israeli fireplace.”
France summoned Israel’s ambassador on Friday (October 11, 2024) over the assaults and, together with Italy and Spain, issued a joint assertion that such assaults had been “unjustifiable.”
On Thursday (10 October 2024), UNIFIL mentioned its headquarters in Naqoura and close by positions had been repeatedly attacked. “This morning, two peacekeepers had been injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon in the direction of an remark tower on the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, immediately hitting it and inflicting it to fall. Thankfully, this time the accidents should not severe, however they continue to be within the hospital,” he mentioned.
He mentioned IDF troopers had additionally fired on the UN place in Labbouneh, hitting the doorway to the bunker the place peacekeepers had been sheltering and damaging autos and a communications system. An IDF drone was noticed flying contained in the UN place to the doorway of the bunker, in response to the assertion, including that on Wednesday (October 9, 2024), IDF troopers “intentionally” fired and disabled the place perimeter monitoring cameras. “In addition they intentionally fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, the place common tripartite conferences had been held earlier than the battle started, damaging lighting and a relay station,” UNIFIL mentioned.
UNIFIL had mentioned on Friday (Oct 11, 2024) that two Sri Lankan peacekeepers had been injured after two explosions occurred close to an remark tower on the Naqoura headquarters. “Immediately, a number of T-walls at our UN place 1-31, close to the Blue Line in Labbouneh, fell when an IDF observe hit the perimeter and IDF tanks moved within the neighborhood of the place. of the United Nations. Our peacekeepers remained in place and a UNIFIL Fast Response Pressure was despatched to help and reinforce the place,” UNIFIL had said on Friday (11 October 2024).
Explaining the pressure safety measures adopted, protection sources mentioned they included entry management to the UN publish; administrative actions “restricted to what’s obligatory”; function from protected areas whereas guaranteeing that the UN mandate is met; and if beneath risk, acquire acceptable approvals after which take obligatory motion. Sources emphasised that the main target is on prevention and response is the final resort.
Affected elected members
Amid the escalation, on Thursday (10 October 2024), the ten elected members of the UN Safety Council expressed their “deep concern” over the assault on UNIFIL positions and known as on all events to respect worldwide humanitarian legislation and UNIFIL safety. employees and premises. “They careworn that any deliberate assault in opposition to peacekeepers is a severe violation of worldwide humanitarian legislation and Safety Council decision 1701 (2006) and should stop instantly,” mentioned a press launch issued by the Everlasting Mission of Sierra Leona earlier than the UN.
Expressing deep concern over the rise in civilian casualties and struggling, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the rising variety of internally displaced folks in Lebanon, the ten nations known as for an instantaneous ceasefire and strict compliance with worldwide humanitarian legislation.
Revealed – October 12, 2024 10:43 pm IST
