The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) condemned Thursday night’s Israeli airstrikes on multiple areas in South Lebanon, calling them “violations of Security Council Resolution 1701.”
In a statement issued on Friday morning, UNIFIL warned that these attacks “put the fragile stability that has been built since November of last year at risk,” and undermine civilians’ trust in the possibility of a peaceful solution.
The force stressed that its peacekeepers “continue to support both parties in their implementation of resolution 1701,” while maintaining daily patrols with the Lebanese Army “to restore stability to the south and along the Blue Line.” However, units deployed in Deir Kifa near the Bourj Qalawiya area were forced to withdraw and “moved to shelters for safety” due to bombardments endangering “the lives of Lebanese soldiers, UN peacekeepers, and civilians.”
UNIFIL urged the Israeli army “to refrain from any further strikes and to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory,” calling on all parties “to avoid further violations or escalatory actions” and to “uphold their obligations under resolution 1701 and the Cessation of Hostilities understanding” as the only guarantees of a lasting peaceful settlement.
Several southern villages, including Mays al-Jabal, Kfar Tibnit and Debbine, were targeted by Israeli raids on Thursday evening. The strikes came less than an hour after the Israeli army issued an “urgent” warning to residents about imminent attacks on “Hezbollah military infrastructure.”
In a statement on his X account, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the Israeli Air Force would continue “strikes against Hezbollah’s military infrastructure across South Lebanon,” accusing the group of “rebuilding its capabilities” and using civilians as “human shields.”
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