New Delhi: India on Saturday issued a strong condemnation following the deadly attack on French UN peacekeepers operating under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs stressed India’s long-standing role as a major contributor to global peacekeeping operations and its commitment to the safety of those serving under the blue helmet.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement: “We strongly condemn the attack that occurred today on the French UN peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL. We pay tribute to the memory of the fallen Blue Helmets and wish a speedy recovery to the three other peacekeepers who were injured.”
UNIFIL said, in a statement issued on its Telegram channel, that a UNIFIL patrol that was removing explosive ordnance along a road in the village of Ghandouriya to restore links with isolated UNIFIL positions, on Saturday morning, came under small arms fire from non-governmental entities.
The statement added, “Tragically, one peacekeeper died from his wounds and three others were injured, two of them in serious condition. The injured peacekeepers were transferred to medical facilities to receive treatment.”
UNIFIL condemned the deliberate attack on peacekeepers participating in their assigned tasks, and said that the work of explosive ordnance disposal teams is vital in the mission’s area of operations, especially in the wake of the recent hostilities.
“UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The initial assessment indicates that the fire came from non-governmental parties (allegedly Hezbollah),” the statement said.
He called on the Lebanese government to quickly initiate an investigation to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable for the crimes committed against UNIFIL peacekeepers.
India expressed its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and the government of France, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
India urged the Lebanese government to launch an urgent investigation into the attack. The statement explicitly calls for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice without delay.
“India has piloted UN Security Council Resolution 2589 on accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. We urge the Lebanese government to urgently investigate this attack, bring its perpetrators to justice, and ensure accountability for this crime against UN peacekeepers,” the statement read.
India’s response highlighted its leadership in international peacekeeping policy, specifically referring to UN Security Council Resolution 2589. This resolution, led by India, focuses on establishing accountability for crimes committed against UN peacekeepers.
“India reiterates the importance of respecting the sanctity and inviolability of UN premises and personnel and urges all parties to ensure the safety and security of peacekeeping forces deployed in accordance with the mandates of the UN Security Council,” it added.
This incident comes at a time of escalating regional tension, raising serious concerns about the safety of international staff.
By invoking Resolution 2589, India is sending a clear message to the international community: attacks on UN personnel are not just local crimes, but violations of a global mandate that requires a strict and transparent legal response.
