India raised concern over the attacks on UN peacekeeping headquarters in southern Lebanon town. (Photo: Reuters)

Hezbollah using UN posts as shields: Israel's response to attacks on peacekeepers

Responding to India's comments on the attacks at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in southern Lebanon, Israeli envoy, Reuven Azar, said that Hezbollah is firing at Israel in proximity to UNIFIL outposts, criminally using them as a shield.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Israeli envoy claims Hezbollah uses UN outposts as shields
  • MEA urges respect for UN premises and peacekeeper safety
  • Indian troops at the Lebanon-Israel border are safe, India concerned

The Israeli attacks at the UN peacekeeping headquarters in a southern Lebanon town injured two Indonesian peacekeepers. Although Indian troops stationed at the Lebanon-Israel border are safe, India raised concern over the safety of the peacekeepers.

Responding to India, the Israeli envoy said that Hezbollah is firing at Israel in proximity to UNIFIL outposts, criminally using them as a shield. Israel's ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, claimed that Hezbollah is "criminally using them as a shield" to hide their operations and provoke further conflict.

Taking to X, Azar said, "Hezbollah is firing at Israel in proximity to UNIFIL outposts, criminally using them as a shield. Israel will continue to take measures to safeguard UN peacekeeping forces and coordinate with all responsible stakeholders necessary steps to keep their safety."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the UN premises should be respected by everyone.

In a statement on Friday, the MEA said, "We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line. We continue to monitor the situation closely. 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."

Notably, 600 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.

The escalating tensions along the Blue Line have raised alarms due to the recent clashes between both Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).