UNIFIL, or the United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon

India has expressed concern over the worsening law and order situation in West Asia, especially at this time when two United Nations personnel were injured. They were among 30 peacekeepers injured when an Israeli tank shelled their observation tower while they served with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This indicates a dramatic escalation of tensions given it comes after Israel told UNIFIL to adjust their stance.

The United Nations interim Force in Lebanon : A short description

• UNIFIL has been serving since 1978 to maintain peace in the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.
• It initially just monitored and reported on the area.
• UNIFIL has been given broader responsibilities following the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.
• UNIFIL member countries to prevent ceasefire violations along the border with over 10,000 personnel were deployed from 50 nations.
• This has come with the challenge of being rebuked by the U.S. and Israel, who feel UNIFIL hasn't sufficiently restrained Hezbollah's arsenal.
• Israeli military firing at UNIFIL bases marks a further escalation of hostilities and raises serious questions about the safety of peacekeepers.
• UNIFIL's work is compounded by legal and operational difficulties as Hezbollah fires rockets on northern Israel.
• International involvement in parts of West Asia creates a difficult puzzle for UNIFIL-type peace keepers.