UN slams Israel’s attacks on its posts in Lebanon: Peacekeepers at serious risks

The United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday said its peacekeeping troops stationed at the Lebanon-Israel border are at “serious risk” after continued Israeli aggression.
In a statement, the UNIFIL said its Naqoura headquarters was affected by explosions for the second time in the last 48 hours, in which two peacekeepers were injured.
“Today, several T-walls at our UN position 1-31, near the Blue Line in Labbouneh, fell when an IDF caterpillar hit the perimeter and IDF tanks moved in the proximity of the UN position,” the statement read.
“Our peacekeepers remained at the location, and a UNIFIL Quick Reaction Force was dispatched to assist and reinforce the position,” it added.
Calling it a serious development, the UNIFIL said the safety and security of UN personnel and property must be guaranteed and that the “inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times”.
“Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006),” the statement read.
The situation along the Israel-Lebanon border has escalated rapidly after the assassination of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. Israel is reportedly using land-based weaponry in this region, which increases the risk for troops stationed there.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have accused Hezbollah of operating in areas near UNIFIL posts. In a statement, the IDF said, “The IDF is operating in southern Lebanon and maintains routine communication with UNIFIL.”
“This morning (Thursday), IDF troops operated in the area of Naqoura, next to a UNIFIL base. Accordingly, the IDF instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces, following which the forces opened fire in the area,” the statement added.
India also released a statement, expressing concerns over the safety of UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon. Notably, 900 Indian soldiers are part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, and are stationed along the 120-km Blue Line on the Israel-Lebanon border.