Middle East Tensions: What Is the Current Status of Nepali Peacekeepers in Lebanon?
Image source, Getty Images
Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Nepali peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon have been advised to remain vigilant and to avoid leaving their camp except for essential reasons, officials have stated.
A few days ago, there was shelling at the Nepali battalion’s camp in southern Lebanon, with explosive devices reportedly fired by Israel landing in the area.
A spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that investigations are underway and noted some volatility in the current tension.
Israel has reiterated its policy not to target peacekeepers or their facilities and had apologized for shelling a Ghanaian peacekeeper camp about two weeks ago.
What Is the Current Status of Nepali Peacekeepers?
According to the Nepal Army website, as of March 11, a total of 554 Nepali soldiers have been deployed to UNIFIL, with 532 serving in the battalion based in southern Lebanon.
It has been confirmed that last Friday explosive materials fired by Israel landed at the Nepali peacekeepers’ camp in Masna al Jabal. The United Nations has stated it is investigating the parties involved in the shelling.
Nepali Army spokesperson Assistant Rathi Rajaram Basnet said the situation has stabilized following the Friday evening incident.
He stated, “Our soldiers were safely inside bunkers at the time of the incident. No soldiers were injured. Only some technical equipment sustained damage; otherwise, there are no further issues.”
Image source, UNIFIL PIO
Spokesperson Basnet added that the mission headquarters is giving directives based on the evolving situation, and Nepali peacekeepers are following those security precautions accordingly.
He emphasized, “The Nepal Army has directed all stationed peacekeepers to remain safe. The Government of Nepal, the Nepal Army, and the United Nations have formulated various strategic plans. The mission headquarters decides based on circumstances, and we proceed accordingly.”
Earlier, the Israeli Defense Forces had admitted to an incident on March 6 in which Ghanaian peacekeepers were wounded due to mistaken shelling, according to Reuters.
UNIFIL peacekeepers are deployed along the ‘Blue Line’ in southern Lebanon, a conflict zone between Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces. The United Nations reports that more than 7,500 peacekeepers from 48 countries are stationed in Lebanon.
At least three Ghanaian peacekeepers were injured during the intense shelling on March 6.
The Israeli Defense Forces expressed regret for the incident and apologized to the United Nations and Ghana. UNIFIL received this letter on Tuesday, which reconfirmed Israel’s policy of not attacking peacekeepers and its commitment to adhere to it.
Statements from UNIFIL Officials
Image source, United Nations Peacekeeping
Tilak Pokharel, a UNIFIL information officer in Lebanon, stated that peacekeepers’ safety is the highest priority.
He noted, “The mission has implemented all necessary security precautions. Safety is the foremost priority. Parties involved in the conflict have assured the United Nations they will not target its personnel.”
Nepali soldiers operate near the delicate area of the Blue Line, which the Israeli Defense Forces continue to monitor closely, a situation the UN has expressed concern over.
Pokharel said, “Peacekeepers have been instructed not to leave the camp without government permission except for security and supply-related duties. Under special circumstances, they are involved in coordinating rescue efforts for people affected by fires.”
Following the attack on Ghanaian peacekeepers, nearly 30 countries, including Nepal, India, and the UK, issued a joint statement expressing concern over the escalating Lebanese conflict and called for immediate peace.
The statement emphasized holding accountable those responsible for the attacks and underscored the necessity to protect UNIFIL peacekeepers and their camps under international law under all circumstances.
The United Nations has declared attacks and threats against peacekeepers unacceptable.
In a statement released on Sunday, UNIFIL said, “We remind all parties that they have a legal obligation at all times to ensure the safety of United Nations personnel and to minimize the risk of civilian casualties.”
The UN has also warned that any assault on UNIFIL personnel constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law and may be prosecuted as a war crime.
Since the recent eruption of conflict, over one million people have been displaced in Lebanon, and more than 900 lives have been lost between March 2 and Tuesday, official data indicates.
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