India raises alarm over safety of 600 soldiers after Israel strikes UN posts
PTC News Desk: India has raised serious concerns over the safety of its 600 soldiers serving as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, following reports of Israeli strikes near UN posts. The Indian peacekeepers are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border, where tensions have escalated in the wake of Israel's attacks on Hezbollah targets in the region.
In an official statement issued on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed its concern, saying, “We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. We continue to monitor the situation closely. Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate.”
These comments came after the United Nations confirmed that positions belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), including their headquarters in Naqoura, had come under fire from Israeli forces. According to the UN, two peacekeepers were injured when an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava tank fired at a UN observation tower near the Naqoura headquarters, directly hitting it and causing the soldiers to fall.
Fortunately, the injuries were not life-threatening, but the two peacekeepers remain hospitalized. The United Nations stressed the importance of protecting the lives of peacekeepers in this volatile region.
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The situation in southern Lebanon has grown increasingly dangerous after the assassination of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israel is reportedly using land-based artillery, heightening risks for troops in the area. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have accused Hezbollah of operating near UNIFIL posts, and in response, the IDF has engaged in military actions around the Naqoura area.
In a statement, the IDF acknowledged the presence of UN forces in the vicinity during their operations. "IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base. Accordingly, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area," the statement read.
As tensions rise, India remains closely engaged in monitoring the security of its peacekeepers and the overall situation along the Israel-Lebanon border, underscoring the need for international cooperation to safeguard UN personnel amidst growing hostilities.
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- With inputs from agencies
