India Expresses Concern as Israel Strikes UN Facility in Lebanon, IDF Shares Map

Photo: Reuters 

India has voiced serious concern over the worsening conflict in West Asia, particularly as Israel escalates its strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. This statement follows an Israeli attack on UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon, which included approximately 900 Indian soldiers. Fortunately, the Indian peacekeepers were not present at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) headquarters at the time of the assault. In addition to the soldiers, there are around 25 Indian staff officers, including medical personnel, stationed there.

The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation separating Israel and Lebanon. The ministry emphasized that the inviolability of premises must be respected by all parties and stressed the importance of taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of 

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In its statement, the foreign ministry reiterated the critical role the UN plays in maintaining peace in the region and the need to uphold the sanctity of the UN's mandate. "Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate," the statement read.

Israel, however, defended its actions, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claiming that Hezbollah had launched more than 130 rockets near 26 UN facilities since the beginning of the conflict. The Israeli military has targeted Hezbollah hideouts as part of its broader campaign against the militant group, which it accuses of launching attacks from Lebanese soil.

The United Nations has also expressed deep concern about the escalation along the Blue Line, stating that Israeli incursions into southern Lebanon have resulted in significant damage to towns and villages. In recent days, the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit by Israeli forces. On Thursday, two peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli Merkava tank fired at an observation tower at UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters, directly hitting the tower and causing them to fall. The injuries, though not life-threatening, required hospitalization.

In addition, the UN reported that Israeli soldiers fired on UN positions in Labbouneh, damaging a bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, along with vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was also spotted flying near the UN position. On Wednesday, Israeli soldiers reportedly disabled monitoring cameras and fired at lighting and relay stations at UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, which previously hosted regular Tripartite meetings between the UN, Lebanon, and Israel before the conflict began.

The United Nations condemned these attacks on its facilities, reminding Israel and other parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the protection of UN personnel and premises. The UN stressed that UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to help maintain stability under the Security Council’s mandate and that any deliberate attack on peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international law.

Adopted unanimously in 2006, UN Security Council Resolution 1701 was designed to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah after the 2006 Lebanon War. It calls for a permanent ceasefire and the establishment of a buffer zone between the two nations, with UNIFIL tasked with enforcing the resolution on the ground. For nearly two decades, this resolution has played a crucial role in maintaining relative peace between Israel and Lebanon.

The Blue Line is a United Nations-recognized demarcation established in 2000, following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. While not an official international border, the Blue Line stretches for 120 kilometers along Lebanon’s southern frontier and Israel’s northern border. UNIFIL peacekeepers are responsible for overseeing this line, ensuring that both sides respect the withdrawal and avoid actions that could provoke further tensions.

Whenever activities are planned near the Blue Line, UNIFIL coordinates with both sides to prevent misunderstandings or escalations that could lead to conflict. Maintaining peace along the Blue Line is one of the central elements of Resolution 1701.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the United Nations, detailing Israel's position on its operations in Lebanon and the broader conflict. The letter emphasized that Hezbollah had initiated unprovoked attacks on Israel, joining the ongoing war sparked by Hamas on October 7, 2023. According to Israel, Hezbollah has fired over 13,000 projectiles, 1,500 anti-tank missiles, and hundreds of explosive drones at Israeli towns and villages, forcing more than 63,000 Israeli civilians to evacuate their homes.

The letter further stated that the war has resulted in 51 Israeli casualties and over 372 injuries, alongside significant damage to Israeli communities. Israel maintains that its actions in Lebanon are a direct response to these provocations, and it continues to defend its right to protect its citizens from the ongoing aggression.

This situation has drawn international attention, with global powers urging restraint and calling for the protection of civilians and peacekeeping forces in the region. The escalating conflict underscores the fragile nature of peace in West Asia and the delicate balance maintained by international agreements such as UN Security Council Resolution 1701.