Beirut - New York: Europe and the Arabs
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported the continued military presence and activities of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in the UN peacekeeping mission's area of ​​operations.
Last Thursday, peacekeepers observed Israeli forces firing heavy machine guns northward near Sarda in Sector East.
UNIFIL also reported that IDF soldiers in vehicles aimed a green laser at mission personnel at a UN position in Sector East.
The previous day, an Israeli soldier aimed his rifle at UN personnel near Marwahin in Sector West. Once again, the peacekeeping mission emphasized the need to put an end to these acts of interference and intimidation.
Meanwhile, a UNIFIL patrol on Wednesday discovered the remains of an unauthorized ammunition dump containing ammunition—including a mortar shell—in Sector East. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) was informed of this incident, as per usual.
The mission continues to support the capacity-building of the Lebanese Armed Forces, including conducting a landing exercise on Wednesday with the Lebanese Air Force aboard a Maritime Task Force vessel. UNIFIL also conducted coordinated combat engineering training activities with Lebanese Armed Forces personnel this week.
Three weeks ago, on September 19, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated that the Israeli airstrikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon constitute a clear and blatant violation of Security Council Resolution 1701, pose a direct threat to the fragile stability achieved in November of last year, and undermine civilian confidence in the possibility of a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
The mission stated in a press release that its peacekeepers continue to provide support to both parties to ensure the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, while UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces continue their daily field work to enhance stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line.
Peacekeeping units in two locations in the Deir Kifa area, near Burj Qalawiya, were forced to move to safer areas as a result of these attacks, which seriously endangered the lives of Lebanese soldiers, UNIFIL personnel, and civilians.
UNIFIL called on the Israeli military to immediately cease any further incursions and commit to a full withdrawal from Lebanese territory. It stressed the need for all parties to avoid any violations or steps that could lead to further escalation.
It called on all parties to fully adhere to the provisions of Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities understanding. It stated that these mechanisms were specifically designed to resolve disputes and avoid resorting to unilateral violence, emphasizing the need to maximize their use.
The UN mission stated that the continued escalation threatens the progress made by the parties in their efforts to restore stability.