India joins 34 other countries contributing troops to the  UNIFIL  in condemning Israeli military actions that threaten peacekeepers

The ongoing hostilities in the West Asia have drawn global concern, with recent escalations along the Israel-Lebanon border highlighting the risks faced by United Nations peacekeepers. As Israeli airstrikes target Gaza and tensions spill over to southern Lebanon, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) finds itself in the line of fire. India, along with 34 other countries that contribute troops to UNIFIL, has endorsed a joint statement condemning actions that jeopardise the safety of peacekeepers and calling for the protection of UN personnel as per existing United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. The situation along the Israel-Lebanon border has become increasingly volatile, with Israeli military operations intensifying in Lebanon. On October 11, two Sri Lankan UN peacekeepers were wounded in an Israeli airstrike near their watchtower in Naqoura, south Lebanon. This was second attack in 48 hours where UNIFIL’s main base in the region was subjected to blasts amid the cross-border conflict. UNIFIL is a peacekeeping mission established in 1978 to monitor the cessation of hostilities in the area.  It is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. 

In the wake of the attack, India has condemned the threat to peacekeepers’ safety. The Indian Permanent Mission to the United Nations reaffirmed that the “safety and security of peacekeepers are of paramount importance and must be ensured in accordance with extant UNSC Resolutions.” India’s stance underscores its long-standing commitment to UN peacekeeping operations, where it has historically been one of the largest contributors of troops. Of the 9532 troops deployed, 895 happen to be Indian. In fact, India happens to be the second largest contributor to the peacekeeping mission next to Indonesia. So far UNIFIL has endured 334 casualties. The UN’s efforts aim to bring a halt to hostilities that have resulted in significant casualties and infrastructure damage, exacerbating an already dire situation in the region. The UN Security Council has called for restraint from all parties involved and emphasised the importance of allowing humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza. However, the complexity of the conflict, with multiple factions and external players influencing the dynamics, has made the path to a ceasefire fraught with obstacles. India’s response to the recent escalation along the Israel-Lebanon border reflects a pragmatic approach. While it has avoided direct condemnation of either side in the broader conflict, its alignment with the UNIFIL countries signals support for international peacekeeping standards. By calling for the protection of peacekeepers and adherence to UNSC resolutions, India is positioning itself as a responsible stakeholder in upholding international law and maintaining regional stability. The path to a sustainable ceasefire remains uncertain, but with global powers like India endorsing diplomatic initiatives and supporting the UN’s peacekeeping mandate, there is a stronger impetus for pursuing non-violent solutions to the ongoing crisis.