New Delhi:
India has expressed serious “concerns” over the dire conflict situation in West Asia as Israel intensifies its resolve against Hezbollah hideouts. New Delhi today issued a statement after UN peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon came under fire from Israeli forces.
The UN peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon include around 900 Indian soldiers. It is important to note that they were not at the headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon or UNIFIL when it was attacked by Israeli forces. In addition to the soldiers, about 25 staff officers, including medical experts, have been deployed.
“We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line,” the State Department said in a statement, adding that “we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Underscoring the importance it attaches to United Nations peacekeeping initiatives, New Delhi said UN buildings should not be attacked and that respecting their sanctity is a mandate.
“The sanctity of UN buildings must be respected by all and appropriate measures must be taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate,” the Foreign Ministry said.
However, Israel has defended its actions, with the Israeli Defense Forces or IDF claiming that “Since the start of the war, Hezbollah has fired more than 130 rockets in close proximity” to 26 United Nations facilities.
The IDF also released a map indicating that these places are “less than 300 meters” from UN facilities.
WHAT THE UNITED NATIONS SAID – UNIFIL STATEMENT
The UN has said: “The recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in southern Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas. In recent days we have seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas. Israeli Army (IDF) soldiers have clashed with Hezbollah elements on the ground in Lebanon.”
It further said that “UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit,” adding that on Thursday “two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon at a watchtower at UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura “The injuries were fortunately not serious this time, but they remain in hospital.”
Speaking about the Israeli offensive, the UN statement claimed that “IDF soldiers also fired at UN Position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. was observed flying within the UN position up to the bunker entrance.”
It further highlighted that on Wednesday, “IDF (Israeli) soldiers deliberately shot at and disabled the position surveillance cameras. They also deliberately fired at UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting. and a relay station.”
The UN reminded the Israeli forces that their attacks on UN facilities are a grave violation of international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701: “We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel. and property and to respect the sanctity of UN buildings at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in southern Lebanon to support a return to stability under the Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council Resolution 1701.”
WHAT IS UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1701
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 is a resolution adopted with the intention of resolving the 2006 Lebanon War.
The resolution has been the linchpin of peace between Israel and Lebanon for almost two decades and the 10,000 UN peacekeepers tasked with implementing it on the ground.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1701 in 2006. (file) (Photo Credit: un.org)
The aim of Resolution 1701, which was unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council in 2006, remains to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, with the Council calling for a permanent ceasefire based on the establishment of a buffer zone.
WHAT IS 'THE BLUE LINE'
The 'Blue Line' is a demarcation line recognized by the United Nations indicating that Israel has withdrawn its army from southern Lebanon. It separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, but it is not an official international border.
The so-called 'Blue Line', which stretches 120 kilometers along the southern border of Lebanon and the northern border of Israel, is 'a key to peace in the region' and one of the central elements of resolution 1701 since the war in 2006, with UNIFIL peacekeepers as its support base. temporary custodian, according to UN peacekeeping.
UNIFIL and Lebanese officers operate one of the “Blue Barrels”, which define the Blue Line, in southern Lebanon in 2010. (file) (Photo Credit: un.org)
Based on several historical maps, some of which are almost a century old, the Blue Line is not a border, but a temporary 'disengagement line' established by the UN in 2000 for the practical purpose of halting the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. to confirm.
Whenever Israeli or Lebanese authorities intend to undertake activities near the Blue Line, UNIFIL requests that they be notified in advance so that the UN Mission can keep authorities informed on all sides, to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to increased tensions that could arise.
ISRAEL'S LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Israel's Foreign Minister has written a letter to the United Nations clarifying his position amid the ongoing and escalating crisis in the Middle East (West Asia), especially regarding its operations in Lebanon.
In his letter, the minister wrote: “On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah, a terrorist Iranian-backed organization, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel and joined the war initiated by Hazas on October 7, 2023. They have been shooting at Israel ever since. 13,000 projectiles, 1,500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive drones on Israeli communities, forcing more than 63,000 people to evacuate their homes.”
The minister further said, “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 cities and towns.”
The minister said that as a result of Hezbollah's unilateral and unprovoked actions: “A year later, on October 1, 2024, the IDF launched a targeted, limited offensive operation in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's military assets and infrastructure along the Blue Line, with a goal of dismantling them and neutralizing the ongoing threat.”