Sun Oct 13 22:03:38 UTC 2024: ## India Condemns Israeli Attacks on UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon
**New York/Beirut:** India has strongly condemned the recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, emphasizing the need to ensure their safety and security. The Indian Mission to the UN, which contributes 600 soldiers to the UNIFIL mission, fully supports the joint statement issued by 34 countries in support of UNIFIL.
The condemnation comes after a series of incidents involving Israeli forces targeting Hezbollah positions near UNIFIL posts. A UNIFIL peacekeeper was injured at the Naqoura headquarters on Saturday, while two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured in a separate incident on Friday. Earlier, two Indonesian UNIFIL soldiers were injured when an Israeli tank fired in their direction.
The UN has raised concerns that some of the attacks on UN positions may have been deliberate. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s top peacekeeping official, stated that damage to cameras and a tower hit by fire suggest direct targeting.
UNIFIL has reminded all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and premises, urging them to avoid combat activities near UNIFIL positions.
Tensions in the region have escalated following Hezbollah’s aggression and Israel’s subsequent ground invasion of southern Lebanon. The IDF reported over 100 rockets fired into northern Israel from Lebanon on Friday, along with drones crossing into Israeli airspace.
France, Italy, and Spain have condemned Israel’s actions against UN posts, calling them unjustifiable. Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry also strongly condemned the attack that injured its peacekeepers.
India’s condemnation highlights the growing concern over the safety of UN peacekeepers amidst the escalating conflict.
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