5th UN peacekeeper wounded in Southern Lebanon

New Delhi, Oct 12: Fifth United Nations peacekeeper was wounded in southern Lebanon on Friday night, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as quoted by Reuters.

The peacekeeper, stationed at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, was struck by gunfire amid nearby military activity, the agency said in a statement on Saturday.

The injured peacekeeper underwent surgery at UNIFIL’s Naqoura hospital to remove the bullet and is currently in stable condition, the statement added. The incident comes as violence intensifies in southern Lebanon, with Israel urging UN peacekeepers to leave the area.

Despite the escalating conflict, a UNIFIL spokesperson confirmed on Saturday that there was a unanimous decision for the peacekeepers to remain at their positions along the Israeli-Lebanese border.

In another incident on Friday night, a UNIFIL position in the village of Ramyah sustained significant damage due to explosions from nearby shelling. UNIFIL reiterated its call for all parties to ensure the safety of UN personnel and facilities, reminding them to avoid combat activities near UN positions.

Earlier in the week, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) acknowledged responsibility for an incident in which two Sri Lankan peacekeepers were injured in Naqoura. According to the IDF, troops near the UN base opened fire after perceiving a threat, an incident that is now under investigation. Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry condemned the attack.

Two other peacekeepers from Indonesia were also injured on Thursday after falling from an observation tower that was fired upon by Israeli tanks. Indonesia’s government condemned the attack.

Despite these incidents, the UN mission remains steadfast in its role in the region, with over 900 Indian troops contributing to the peacekeeping efforts under the UNIFIL mandate established by Security Council Resolution 1701.

As tensions continue to mount, the Ministry of External Affairs have expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the region. In a press release issued on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed concern over the worsening security situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon.