India has expressed serious concern over reports of high number of civilian casualties in Lebanon. This was stated at a briefing by Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
“We are concerned about the reports of high number of civilian casualties in Lebanon“, he said. “As a partner of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and interested in peace and security in that country, we find these developments extremely worrying“, he stressed.
The Foreign Ministry spokesman noted that the protection of civilians, as well as the importance of respecting international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, are a priority.
Earlier, the Israeli military reported a massive series of strikes against Lebanon since the start of the campaign, which began on March 2. In 10 minutes, Israeli air force fighter jets attacked more than 100 targets in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon. Iran called this a violation of ceasefire agreements reached the previous day, claiming that they included a halt to shelling of Lebanon.
Israel claims that the ceasefire agreement with Iran does not apply to its military operations in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that scheduled talks in Islamabad between Iranian and American representatives will not begin until Washington fulfills its promises regarding the cessation of hostilities by Israeli forces in Lebanon.