‘Inviolability of UN premises must be respected’: India after attack on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon

The 120-km Blue Line is a United Nations-recognised demarcation that separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, even though it is not an official international border.

“Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures (should be) taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate,” the MEA further said.

The attack on the UNIFIL post has left two people injured, Reuters reported quoting a UN-based source. It was one of the three locations at which Israeli forces opened fire amidst the ongoing hostilities between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militant group.

Israeli forces also reportedly breached the perimeter of another UNIFIL position they had fired at on Thursday.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon had said in a statement on October 10 that “recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon”.

“In the past days, we have seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon,” it alleged in the statement.

Currently, UNIFIL comprises around 10,500 peacekeepers from 50 contributing countries, including India. Last week, the Indian contingent serving in UNIFIL had said it would continue its operations despite Israel’s decision to enter the region amid escalating tensions.

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati denounced the “attack” on the UNIFIL peacekeeping force on Friday as a crime.