UN Peacekeepers at Lebanon-Israel Border: Ensuring Stability Amid Escalation

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• UN Peacekeeping
• India’s contribution in peacekeeping missions
• United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

Why in News?

India expressed concern over the worsening security situation in West Asia after two UN peacekeepers were injured near Lebanon's border with Israel.

The incident occurred when an Israeli tank fired on a UN observation tower. This marks the most serious escalation since Israel asked the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, to relocate from positions near Hezbollah rocket launch sites in Lebanon. The request was declined by the UN.

UNIFIL, present in southern Lebanon since 1978, has an observational mandate that was expanded in 2006 following the Israel-Hezbollah war.

UN Peacekeeping

• About
  • The UN Charter gives the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
  • In fulfilling this responsibility, the Council can establish a UN peace operation.
• Peacekeeping mandates
  • UN peace operations are deployed on the basis of mandates from the United Nations Security Council.
  • These mandates differ from situation to situation, depending on the nature of the conflict and the specific challenges it presents.
  • Depending on their mandate, peace operations may be required to:
  • Deploy to prevent the outbreak of conflict or the spill-over of conflict across borders;
  • Stabilize conflict situations after a ceasefire;
  • Assist in implementing comprehensive peace agreements;
  • Lead states or territories through a transition to stable government, based on democratic principles, good governance and economic development.
• Principles
  • Consent of the parties
    • In the absence of such consent, a peacekeeping operation risks becoming a party to the conflict; and being drawn towards enforcement action.
  • Impartiality
    • Peacekeepers should be impartial in their dealings with the parties to the conflict, but not neutral in the execution of their mandate.
  • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate

India’s contribution in peacekeeping missions

• Current status
  • India is one of the largest troop contributing nation to UNPK.
  • Currently, India has around 5,900 troops deployed in 12 U.N. Missions.
  • India’s contribution to the peacekeeping budget stands at 0.16%.
• Contribution so far
  • India has been actively participating in peacekeeping right from 1950 when it supplied medical personnel and troops to the UN Repatriation Commission in Korea.
  • India has contributed approximately 2,75,000 troops to peacekeeping missions so far and 159 Indian Army soldiers have lost their lives across the globe.
• Joint training of U.N. peacekeepers from African countries
  • In 2016, India and the U.S. had begun an annual training programme for joint training of U.N. peacekeepers from African countries.
• Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK)
  • Indian Army has established a CUNPK in New Delhi to impart training in peacekeeping operations and the Centre trains more than 12,000 troops every year.
• Women deployment
  • India has deployed Female Engagement Teams in United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei.
• This is the second largest women contingent after Liberia.
  • India has also deployed Women Military Police in United Nations Disengagement Observer Force and women staff officers and military observers in various missions.
• Other contributions
  • In August 2021, India, in collaboration with the UN launched UNITE AWARE platform.
  • It is a technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.
  • India has also proposed a 10-point plan, including making those targeting UN peacekeepers more accountable.
  • It also suggested to build a memorial wall to honour peacekeepers.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)

• About
  • The UNIFIL is an international peacekeeping mission with over 10,000 civilian and military personnel from 50 countries, tasked with preventing violations along the 121-km "Blue Line" border between Lebanon and Israel.
  • Established under a 2006 UN resolution, the force is responsible for ensuring the area is free of hostile activities, including the presence of weapons or fighters.
  • However, the U.S. and Israel have criticized UNIFIL for being ineffective in preventing Hezbollah from stockpiling and firing rockets.
  • Though armed, the peacekeepers can only use force when their safety or civilians are in immediate danger, and they report violations to the UN Security Council.
• Issue – attack on UNIFIL
  • During its invasion of southern Lebanon, the Israeli military set up new positions near a UNIFIL base, using these sites to fire at Hezbollah targets, which increased the risk to UN peacekeepers.
  • Despite requests from Israel to relocate, UNIFIL declined to move.
  • Attacks on UN personnel are illegal under international law, but Hezbollah has been launching rockets from areas close to UN positions for a year, complicating the situation.
  • Recently, Israeli tank fire hit a UN observation tower and the entrance of a bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering at a UNIFIL base in Naqoura, Lebanon.

Q.1. What is the role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon?

UNIFIL, comprising over 10,000 personnel, prevents violations along the Lebanon-Israel border and ensures the area remains free from weapons and fighters, though its effectiveness in stopping Hezbollah has been questioned by the U.S. and Israel.

Q.2. Why are UN peacekeepers at Lebanon’s border facing increased risks?

UN peacekeepers face heightened risks after Israeli forces established positions near a UNIFIL base, using them to target Hezbollah. Despite Israeli requests to relocate, UNIFIL has refused, leading to increased dangers for the personnel.

Source: Who are THE UN peacekeepers at Lebanon’s border with Israel? | United Nations Peacekeeping | The Hindu | India Today