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United Nations

UN Peacekeepers Call for De-escalation as Israeli Strikes Endanger Civilians and Peacekeepers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, has called on the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to refrain from further strikes and fully withdraw from Lebanese territory after Israeli strikes endangered peacekeepers and civilians overnight. The UNIFIL statement comes amid an ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza and continued violations of Security Council resolution 1701 by both Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. Since its inception, UNIFIL has played a crucial role in advancing peace and security in southern Lebanon.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli strikes on Thursday night endangered the lives of Lebanese soldiers, UN peacekeepers, and civilians, putting the fragile stability built since November 2022 at risk.
  • The UNIFIL has called on the IDF to refrain from any further strikes and to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.
  • The mission has stressed that continued escalation puts the hard-fought progress made by the parties to restore stability at risk.
  • UN peacekeepers have observed IDF activities in the mission's area of operation, finding landmines, unexploded devices, and unguarded weapon caches.
  • UNIFIL has been working to support the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which brought an end to hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in 2006.

Statistics:

  • Since the adoption of resolution 1701, UNIFIL has been monitoring the cessation of hostilities and extending assistance to ensure humanitarian access.
  • The mission has been deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
  • The recent cessation of hostilities agreement between the two sides was signed in November 2022.
  • The Blue Line, a 120km border between south Lebanon and northern Israel, has been a focus of the UNIFIL mission's efforts to restore stability.

Sources:

  • The statement from UNIFIL leaders, citing concerns over civilian safety and the risk to fragile stability.
  • UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, who addressed reporters at the regular noon briefing on Friday.
  • Security Council resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to bring an end to hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

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