India "Concerned" As Israel Hits UN Facility In Lebanon, IDF Puts Out Map

India has expressed grave "concern" over the abysmal conflict situation in West Asia as Israel intensifies its resolve targeting Hezbollah hideouts. New Delhi issued a statement today after UN peacekeepers stationed in south Lebanon came under fire from Israeli forces.

Among the UN peacekeepers stationed in Lebanon, there are approximately 900 Indian soldiers. It is important to note that they were not at the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon or UNIFIL headquarters at the time it was attacked by Israeli forces. Besides the soldiers, there are around 25 staff officers, including medical experts deployed there.

"We are concerned at the deteriorating security situation along the Blue Line," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, adding that "We continue to monitor the situation very closely."

New Delhi underscored the importance it attaches to United Nations' peacekeeping initiatives saying UN premises cannot be allowed to be targeted, and respecting its sanctity is a mandate.

"Inviolability of UN premises must be respected by all, and appropriate measures taken to ensure the safety of UN peacekeepers and the sanctity of their mandate," the foreign ministry said.

Israel however, has defended its actions, with the Israeli Defense Forces or IDF claiming that "Since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has fired more than 130 rockets in close proximity" to 26 United Nations facilities."

The IDF also put out a map in which it has identified these places as being "less than 300 meters" from the UN facilities.

WHAT THE UNITED NATIONS SAID - UNIFIL STATEMENT

The UN has said, "Recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas. In the past days we have seen incursions from Israel into Lebanon in Naqoura and other areas. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon."

It further said that "UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit," adding that on Thursday "two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately, this time, not serious, but they remain in hospital."

Speaking about the Israeli offensive, the UN statement asserted that "IDF soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance."

It further highlighted that on Wednesday "IDF (Israeli) soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position's perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station."

Reminding Israeli forces that its attacks on UN facilities is a grave violation of international humanitarian law as well as UN Security Council resolution 1701, the UN said, "We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701."

WHAT IS UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1701

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 is a resolution that was adopted with an intention to resolve the 2006 Lebanon War.

The resolution has been the linchpin of peace between Israel and Lebanon for almost two decades and the 10,000 UN peacekeepers who are tasked with implementing it on the ground.

United Nations Security Council unanimously adopts resolution 1701 in 2006. (file) (Photo Credit: un.org)

Adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council in 2006, the purpose of resolution 1701 continues to be about ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, with the Council calling for a permanent ceasefire to be based on the creation of a buffer zone.

WHAT IS 'THE BLUE LINE'

The 'Blue Line' is a United Nations-recognised demarcation line to indicate that Israel had withdrawn its military from southern Lebanon. It separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights, but it is not an official international border.

Stretching for 120km along Lebanon's southern frontier and Israel's northern border, the so-called "Blue Line" is "a key to peace in the region" and one of the central elements of resolution 1701 since the war in 2006, with UNIFIL peacekeepers being its temporary custodian, according to UN Peacekeeping.

UNIFIL and Lebanese officers operate one of the "Blue Barrels", which determine the Blue Line, in southern Lebanon in 2010. (file) (Photo Credit: un.org)

Based on various historical maps, some dating back almost a century, the Blue Line is not a border, but a temporary "line of withdrawal" set by the UN in 2000 for the practical purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

Whenever Israeli or Lebanese authorities wish to undertake any activities close to the Blue Line, UNIFIL requests that they provide advance notice, allowing the UN mission to keep authorities on all sides informed, to minimise any misunderstandings that could lead to increased tensions.

ISRAEL'S LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Israel's Minister of Foreign Affairs has written a letter to the United Nations clarifying its stance amid the ongoing and escalating crisis in the Middle East (West Asia), especially with regard to its operations in Lebanon.

In its letter, the minister wrote that "On Ictiber 8, 2023, Hezbollah, a terrorist, Iranian-backed organisation, launched an unprovoked attack on Israel, joining the war initiated by Hazas on October 7, 2023. Since then they have fired over 13,000 projectiles, 1500 anti-tank missiles and hundreds of explosive drones at Israeli communities, forcing more than 63,000 people to evacuate their homes."

The minister further said that "This war which was imposed on Israel has so far resulted in 51 casualties and over 372 injuries, besides causing severe damage ot Israeli towns and villages."

The minister said that as a result of Hezbollah's unilateral and unprovoked actions, "One year later, on October 1, 2024 the IDF initiated a targeted, limited raid operations in southern Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah military assets and infrastructure along the Blue Line, with a goal of dismantling them and neutralising the ongoing threat."
 

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Bad News For Pakistan: Star "Hospitalised" Ahead Of Crucial 5th Day vs ENG

Pakistan's legspinner Abrar Ahmed is being treated in hospital after being taken ill, according to ESPNcricinfo. Abrar, who bowled 31 overs on Day 3 of the opening Test against England, complained of body aches and a high fever on the morning of Day 4. He didn't take up the field for the entire Day 4. According to ESPNcricinfo, a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said he had undergone a number of tests, and a further update would be issued once the results were received. On Day 3, Abrar was at the receiving end of the bashing that English batters delivered on a scorching day in Multan. He went wicketless and conceded 174 runs at an economy of 5.00, which was the story for the majority of Pakistan bowlers.

Abrar was the sole frontline bowler in Pakistan's attack who went wicketless in the first inning. His performance is in complete contrast to the one that he delivered against England two years ago, where he scythed a whopping 11 wickets.

Abrar has been haunted by injuries since making his professional debut for the Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League. He made his first appearance for Zalmi as an 18-year-old. Abrat then went out to spend a couple of years on the sidelines due to a persistent injury.

He sustained a nerve injury before Pakistan toured Australia and went on to miss the three Tests.

Coming back to the opening Test in Multan, Joe Root and Harry Brook forged a record-breaking 454-run partnership that allowed England to exude control.

England eventually declared on 823/7 in reply to Pakistan's first-inning total of 556 runs. The batting masterclass helped England assail to a 267-run lead on a batting paradise.

Pakistan's history of succumbing to pressure kicked in as they lost six wickets in the final session to an inspired English bowling attack for a score of 15/6, still trailing by 115 runs.

If Abrar fails to take the field on Day 5, Pakistan will be forced to end the game with 10 players.

As a result, they could lose the game even if they lose nine wickets. ICC only allows substitutions in case of a concussion.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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300 Durga Puja Committees In Jamshedpur Stop Music To Mourn Ratan Tata

Over 300 community Durga Puja committees in Jamshedpur refrained from playing music and cancelled cultural programmes on Thursday as a mark of respect to Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons Ratan Naval Tata, who died in a Mumbai hospital a day ago.

A senior functionary of the Central Durga Puja Committee of the city said some of the organisers have also put up Tata's photograph beside the marquees.

"We have appealed to all the community puja committees to observe the festival in a simple manner and urged them not to play any music, barring mandatory instruments like 'dhak' (drum) etc, to pay respect to Ratan Tata," General Secretary of the Central Puja Committee, Ashutosh Kumar Singh, told PTI.

Altogether 332 community puja committees affiliated to the Central Committee unanimously agreed to the call and stopped playing music, except those related to the puja. Some of them even cancelled all cultural programmes scheduled for the day, Singh said.

Tata, who died at the age of 86 years, had immense contribution to the development of the city as well as its industries, trade and businesses, Mr Singh added.

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur Football Club also paid tribute to Tata before the players resumed practice after a four-day break.

The team observed a moment of silence in memory of Tata, whose legacy has greatly influenced the club and the community, the club said in a statement. 

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Israel Strikes Beirut, Killing 22, Injuring 117, Hezbollah Figure Targeted

Israel pounded central Beirut with a deadly air strike on Thursday while its ground troops in Lebanon were accused of firing on the UN's peacekeeping headquarters, injuring two of them.

The air raid on Beirut, where an AFP journalist heard several loud explosions, was the third such attack on the centre of the Lebanese capital since Israel escalated its campaign last month.

"The Israeli enemy's attacks on the capital Beirut this evening resulted in an updated toll of 22 people killed and 117 others injured," Lebanon's health ministry said in a statement.

A Lebanese security source, without giving further details, said a "Hezbollah figure" was targeted, after a series of killings of top officials in the Iran-backed movement.

AFP live TV footage showed two plumes of smoke billowing in between densely-packed buildings, while there was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities about the nature of the target.

Most Israeli strikes have targeted the south Beirut area, not the centre.

The attack came on the same day as the UN's peacekeeping force in Lebanon accused Israeli soldiers of "repeatedly" firing on its positions, including with a tank, leaving two Indonesian Blue Helmets with injuries.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, whose country is a major contributor to the force, condemned the "hostile acts" which he said "could constitute war crimes", while Spain called it a "grave violation of international law".

Washington said that while Israel targets Hezbollah facilities "it is critical that they not threaten UN peacekeepers' safety and security."

The Israeli military said it had been operating against Hezbollah militants near UNIFIL headquarters and had "instructed the UN forces in the area to remain in protected spaces."

Israel has been pounding Hezbollah in Lebanon since September 23 in an escalated campaign that has killed more than 1,200 people and displaced more than a million others, according to an AFP tally of health ministry figures.

Its ground forces crossed into Lebanon on September 30 with the aim of stopping Hezbollah's cross-border fire in support of Palestinian militant group Hamas, which attacked Israel on October 7.

Hezbollah missile and artillery fire has forced tens of thousands of Israelis to flee their homes near the border over the past year, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to fight until they can return.

HUMANITARIAN LAW

The Lebanon operation is a second front for Israel's stretched armed forces which are continuing their campaign against Hamas Palestinian militants in Gaza.

Israeli forces launched a major operation in the north of the territory at the weekend around the Jabalia refugee camp, where about 400,000 people are trapped, according to Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday about the humanitarian situation, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that Washington was "incredibly concerned" as Israel tightens its siege.

"We have been making clear to the government of Israel that they have an obligation under international humanitarian law to allow food and water and other needed humanitarian assistance to make it into all parts of Gaza," he said.

An Israeli strike on a school building in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza on Thursday left at least 28 people dead and 54 injured, according to the Palestine Red Crescent.

It is the latest of numerous such incidents.

The Israeli army said in a statement the strike targeted Palestinian combatants operating from a command-and-control centre "embedded inside a compound that previously served as the (Rafida) School".

The Israeli military accuses Hamas of hiding in school buildings where thousands of Gazans have sought shelter -- a charge denied by the militant group.

UN investigators on Thursday also accused Israel of deliberately targeting health facilities and killing and torturing medical personnel in Gaza.

Israel is "committing war crimes and the crime against humanity of extermination with relentless and deliberate attacks on medical personnel and facilities", the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry said in a statement.

DEADLY, PRECISE

Ahead of Yom Kippur this Friday and Saturday, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Israelis are also braced for the country's reaction to a missile attack last week from Iran, which backs both Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran fired about 200 missiles in what it said was retaliation for the assassination of two of its closest allies, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with an Iranian general.

Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that "our attack on Iran will be deadly, precise and surprising. They will not understand what happened and how it happened."

Biden has cautioned Israel against attempting to target Iran's nuclear facilities and opposes striking oil installations.

"I don't think we are currently in a situation that the two countries are seeking an all-out direct war," Hamid, a 29-year-old university student in Tehran, told AFP on Thursday.

"It will have severe economic and military consequences" on both countries, he added.

The Gaza war began on October 7 last year, when Hamas militants stormed across the border and carried out the worst attack in Israeli history.

The militants took 251 people hostage in an attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

According to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, 42,065 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, a majority civilians, figures the UN has described as reliable.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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WT20 WC Table: India Thrash SL, Surpass NZ And Pakistan For Big Semis Boost

Updated Women's T20 World Cup Points Table: The Indian women's cricket team finally showed great intent as they thrashed Sri Lanka by massive 82 runs in their third match of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. After losing to New Zealand in the first match, things had become tricky for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side. But with back-to-back wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the side's semi-final chances have received a boost. Before the match against Sri Lanka, India were fourth in Group A with two points from two matches and a run-rate of -1.217. (Women's T20 World Cup points table)

After the win against Sri Lanka, India have climbed up to the second position in the table with four points from three matches and a run-rate of +0.576.

Earlier, a 98-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, along with a blistering knock from captain Harmanpreet Kaur, propelled India to 172/3 in their Group A Women's T20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Wednesday.

Smriti Mandhana scored her fifty off 36 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and a maximum, while her partner Shafali Verma played an anchor role, scoring 43 off 40 balls with four boundaries.

The Indian team reached their fifty in just 7 overs and were 78 for no loss after 10 overs.

The brilliant partnership was broken in the form of a run-out, with Mandhana departing in the 12.4 overs. Shortly after, Shafali was dismissed by Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu for 43.

India reached their hundred in 13.2 overs.

Jemimah Rodrigues contributed a quick 16 off 10 balls, including two boundaries, but was dismissed by Ama Kanchana, leaving India at 128/3.

They reached 150 in 18.3 overs.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur came in at number three and scored an unbeaten 52 off 27 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and a six.

Her innings helped the Indian team surpass the 170 mark.

The key bowlers for Sri Lanka were Athapaththu, who took one wicket for 34 runs in her four overs, and Ana Kanchana, who finished with figures of 1/29.

With ANI inputs 

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Ratan Tata Dies: 10 Facts On India's Most Beloved Industrialist

1. Ratan Naval Tata was the great-grandson of Jamsetji Tata who founded the Tata Group. He was born on December 28, 1937, in Mumbai to Naval Tata and Sooni Tata.
2. He was raised by his grandmother, Navajbai Tata after his parents separated in 1948.
3. Despite coming close to marriage on four occasions, Ratan Tata never married.
4. He once admitted that he fell in love while working in Los Angeles. But because of the ongoing 1962 Indo-China War, the girl's parents refused to let her move to India.
5. Starting his career in 1961, Ratan Tata started from the ground up, managing operations on the shop floor of Tata Steel. This experience laid the foundation for his future leadership role within the group.
6. He became chairman of the autos to steel conglomerate in 1991 and ran the group founded by his great-grandfather more than a hundred years ago until 2012.
7. He began restructuring the Tata group at a time when the liberalisation of the Indian economy was underway. He played an instrumental role in the business expansion of popular cars including the Tata Nano and Tata Indica.
8. He got Tata Tea to acquire Tetley, Tata Motors to acquire Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Steel to acquire Corus in 2004.
9. In 2009, Ratan fulfilled his promise to make the world's cheapest car accessible to the middle class. The Tata Nano, priced at Rs 1 lakh, became a symbol of innovation and affordability.
10. After stepping down, he was conferred with the title of chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Tata Industries, Tata Motors, Tata Steel and Tata Chemicals.

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On J&K's Statehood Demand, Ram Madhav Says Yes, Then Adds A Caveat

Jammu and Kashmir will get its statehood but there seems to be some small print involved, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav indicated today. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, the leader who was in charge of the Union Territory, said the BJP has committed to a return of statehood "on the floor of the House".

But asked about a time frame for it, he said, "You remember one thing. Jammu Kashmir has travelled a lot of distance in the last 5 to 10 years. It gave up its terror-based identity, it is a very peaceful state in terms of separatism... even Jamaat has joined the electoral process. That is a very big achievement. But those in power in the state should be reassuring the people in Delhi that they won't bring those tendencies back into this region. Then full statehood is possible".

"There are people who are demanding the release of all terrorists in jail, demanding restoration of Article 370. With that kind of attitude, if they go to the assembly and then statehood -- how to release terrorists and separatists and all? That becomes problematic for the larger national security issues," he said. "But we are favour of the UT getting statehood sooner rather than later," he added.

The National Conference of Omar Abdullah and ally Congress have come to power in Jammu and Kashmir winning 49 of 90 seats. Both parties had made restoration of statehood their big election promise. It is a promise that was also reiterated by the BJP, but going by the results, the Valley appeared unconvinced.

The BJP had won 29 seats, all of them in the Jammu region.

In an interview with NDTV earlier today, Omar Abdullah, the leader most likely to be the Chief Minister of J&K had said he was willing to set aside the question of Article 370 and set up a working relationship with the Centre.

Asked to respond to this, Mr Madhav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not discriminate between states or consider which party is in power. 'We would certainly work for the good of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he added. 

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