India expressed concern on Friday regarding the worsening security situation along the Blue Line, following reports of Israeli fire on a United Nations peacekeeper base in southern Lebanon that resulted in injuries to UN personnel. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized the importance of respecting the inviolability of UN premises.
“We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” the MEA stated. “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.”
This statement comes amid increasing international condemnation of Israeli attacks on UN positions in Lebanon, where the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) operates. Lebanon’s foreign ministry condemned what it termed an Israeli “targeting” of UNIFIL’s main base in Ras Naqura, as well as a Sri Lankan battalion’s base, which reportedly left several peacekeepers injured.
State media in Lebanon reported that Israeli artillery struck a UNIFIL watchtower and damaged the main entrance of the command center in Ras Naqura. An Israeli Merkava tank was also said to have targeted another UN tower along the primary route between Tyre and Naqura.
UNIFIL, which has been active in the region since 1978, has not yet issued a comment, but reports indicate that two peacekeepers were injured in Thursday’s incident.
In response, China condemned the attack and called for an investigation, stating that intentional attacks on peacekeepers violate international humanitarian law. Italy, a significant contributor of troops to UNIFIL, suggested that such actions “could constitute war crimes,” while the United States expressed its “deep concern.”
