United Nations, March 12 (NationPress) India has advocated for the safeguarding of UN peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah due to the repercussions of the Iran conflict.

“We call upon all involved parties, regardless of the situation, to guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and their facilities, in alignment with international law,” stated a joint declaration from India and 29 other nations on Wednesday (local time), referencing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

“Peacekeepers should never be subjected to attacks or any form of intimidation,” the declaration emphasized. “We acknowledge the bravery, professionalism, and commitment of UNIFIL peacekeepers in executing their mission.”

The 642 Indian peacekeepers represent the second-largest group within the 7,438-member UNIFIL.

Established in 1978, this peacekeeping mission is tasked with overseeing the cessation of hostilities and aiding the Lebanese government in regaining control over southern Lebanon.

With India’s Permanent Representative P. Harish alongside him, France’s Permanent Representative Jerome Bonnafont presented the statement outside the Security Council before it convened to address the situation in Lebanon.

Last week, three Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured at their base due to “intense firing” in a Southern Lebanon region where they were deployed, as reported by UNIFIL.

Condemning the assault, the declaration asserted, “Those accountable for the attack must be brought to justice.”

The UN has indicated that the incident is currently under investigation and has not yet attributed blame.

The statement also denounced “in the strongest terms Hezbollah’s reckless choice to engage in Iranian assaults on Israel,” which has entangled “Lebanon in a conflict that neither its government nor its citizens desired.”

Regarding Israel, it urged the nation “to refrain from assaults on civilian infrastructure and densely populated areas, while respecting Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

“All parties are obligated to adhere to international law, including humanitarian law, and to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure,” it continued.

Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix informed the Council that UNIFIL is operating under “dangerous and precarious conditions.”

Since March 1, UNIFIL has documented 4,120 “trajectories” from both sides of the Blue Line, the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon.

Hezbollah has executed daily strikes across the Blue Line targeting Israel and the occupied Syrian Golan using rockets, missiles, and drones, he noted.

Additionally, “UNIFIL has observed incursions by Israel Defense Forces into Lebanon at various points,” and direct confrontations have occurred between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, he mentioned.