India on Thursday condemned assaults on the United Nations Interim Drive in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which resulted within the dying of three Indonesian peacekeepers in opposition to the backdrop of an Israeli floor offensive, and referred to as for accountability for crimes in opposition to UN peacekeeping troops.

Two Indonesian peacekeepers have been killed and two extra have been injured when an explosion hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy in southern Lebanon on March 30. A day earlier, one other Indonesian peacekeeper was killed when a projectile hit the mission’s base in Ett Taibe. Greater than 8,000 peacekeepers from almost 50 nations serve with UNIFIL, and India is the fourth-largest contributor, with greater than 640 troops.

Exterior affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal advised a weekly media briefing that India has condemned the latest assaults on UNIFIL wherein a number of troops misplaced their lives. “As soon as once more, we wish to emphasise that the inviolability of UN missions have to be ensured and the protection and safety of our peacekeepers have to be ensured,” he stated.

“As one of many largest and longest serving contributors to peacekeeping, and in consonance with UN Safety Council decision 2589, we search accountability for crimes in opposition to peacekeepers,” he stated.

The Indian aspect has been silent on Israel’s position in a number of latest assaults on UNIFIL, whereas Indonesia’s UN consultant has referred to as on the United Nations to research the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. The demand was made at an emergency assembly of the UN Safety Council on Tuesday.

UNIFIL is conducting investigations to find out the “circumstances of those tragic developments”, the pinnacle of UN peace operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, stated in New York.

“We strongly condemn these unacceptable incidents. Peacekeepers mustn’t ever be a goal,” he advised journalists at UN Headquarters. “We additionally stay severely involved about a number of aggressive behaviour incidents in opposition to UNIFIL peacekeepers prior to now couple of days.”

UNIFIL was established in 1978 to verify the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, restore peace and safety, and help the Lebanese authorities in making certain its efficient authority within the space.

Jaiswal famous that India has performed an essential position in UN peacekeeping operations going again a number of many years. “We’re the most important troop contributing nation to UN peacekeeping missions, and the contributions of our peacekeepers…to international peace and safety [is well regarded],” he stated.