The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed “grave concern” on Thursday over the dangerous escalation of hostilities along the Blue Line overnight on Wednesday.
In a press release, UNIFIL said it had observed “more than 120 projectiles fired from Lebanese territory into Israel, as well as seven Israeli airstrikes and more than 120 artillery shelling incidents in response,” stressing that such actions constitute a “grave violation” of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
The peacekeeping mission urged both sides to halt hostilities and “recommit to the full implementation of resolution 1701, for the safety and security of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line.” UNIFIL added that it remains in close contact with Lebanese and Israeli officials and stands ready to support efforts to ease tensions.
“The latest escalation along the Blue Line is once again causing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents and widespread destruction of neighborhoods and villages,” the statement said. “Reports indicate that hundreds have been killed and many more injured. As is always the case in conflicts, civilians are the most affected.”
UNIFIL also stressed that its peacekeeping forces remain deployed on the ground, monitoring developments impartially, coordinating between the parties, and facilitating, where possible, humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians.
The escalation followed a statement by the Israeli army saying it had launched, on Wednesday, “a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting terror infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization across Lebanon.” The military said it struck “dozens of launchers” as well as intelligence and command sites linked to Hezbollah in south Beirut.
The Israeli announcement came after Hezbollah statements saying its fighters had fired barrages of rockets, advanced missiles and drones at towns, military bases and other locations, mainly in northern Israel.
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