India Expresses Alarm Over Rising Civilian Deaths in Lebanon Amid Escalating Conflict

India's Concern Over Civilian Casualties in Lebanon

New Delhi: On Friday, India expressed its "deep concern" regarding the rising number of civilian casualties in Lebanon.

This statement from New Delhi comes as Israeli airstrikes intensify in Lebanon, raising questions about the stability of a fragile ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Iran claims that Lebanon is included in this deal, a point contested by both the US and Israel.

According to Lebanese officials, Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of at least 300 individuals.

"We are alarmed by the reports indicating a significant number of civilian casualties in Lebanon," stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the external affairs ministry, during a media briefing.

"As a contributor of troops to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is dedicated to maintaining peace and security in the region, the current situation is quite troubling," he added.

Jaiswal emphasized that India prioritizes the protection of civilians and stressed the importance of adhering to international law while respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.

He also mentioned that India is actively engaging with countries in the Gulf region, highlighting the ongoing visit of Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to Qatar.

Furthermore, Jaiswal pointed out the forthcoming visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the United Arab Emirates, which aims to discuss perspectives on the conflict in West Asia.

On Thursday, India welcomed the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, advocating for unhindered navigation and trade through the Strait of Hormuz, while expressing hopes for enduring peace in West Asia.

Regarding the volatile security situation in Lebanon, Jaiswal confirmed that the Indian embassy is maintaining close communication with the Indian community to ensure their safety.

Earlier this month, India condemned the violent attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, calling for the "inviolability" of their mission.

This condemnation followed the tragic deaths of two Indonesian 'Blue Helmets', raising global concerns about the safety of UN peacekeepers in the conflict area.

These fatalities occurred amidst a significant increase in cross-border violence involving the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah.