UNIFIL warns ‘Israel’ to stop attacking Lebanon, cease breaching UN resolutions

In a strongly worded statement Friday, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) condemned airstrikes carried out by ‘Israeli’ forces in southern Lebanon as a “violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and a direct threat to the “fragile stability” along the Blue Line.

“We call on the Israel Defense Forces to refrain from any further strikes and to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory. We further call on all sides to avoid further violations or escalatory actions,” the statement read. 

Thursday’s strikes targeted towns including Mays al-Jabal, Debbine, and Kfartbinit, allegedly aiming at “military infrastructure.”

Read more: VIDEO: ‘Israel’ issues evacuation order for residents of southern Lebanon

UNIFEL added that their peacekeepers stationed in two positions in Deir Kifa, near Burj Qalawieh had to shelter for safety, stressing that the strikes put the lives of Lebanese soldiers and civilians in danger as well. 

The escalation comes at a highly sensitive time on the border and constitutes a direct breach of Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously in August 2006 to end the July war. 

The resolution calls for:

• A complete cessation of hostilities.
• Respect for the Blue Line as the withdrawal line.
• Deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in the south.
• Making the area south of the Litani River free of any armed groups or weapons not under Lebanese or UNIFIL control.

‘Israel’ has frequently been violating the ceasefire agreement signed with Hezbollah last November by a series of strikes targeted across Lebanon countless times.