United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said to This Is Beirut that “the situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations is, overall, stable.”
“There is some tension and anxiety because of recent events south of the Blue Line, and we have seen isolated gatherings related to that. So far things are stable, and we are doing everything we can to make sure that continues. We are closely monitoring developments south of the Blue Line. Our peacekeepers remain fully deployed, and we are focused on activities to support maintaining the current relative stability, including increased patrols and activities related to preventing potential rocket launches. All our activities are coordinated with the Lebanese Armed Forces and many of them are conducted together with Lebanese soldiers. Our leadership is in constant contact with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line to help avoid misunderstandings and decrease tension, to avoid escalation,” he added.
This statement comes at a time when calls for demonstrations on the Blue Line have been circulating to support Hamas which has been leading an offensive against Israel in the Gaza Strip since Saturday.
“There have been reports of gatherings near the Blue Line, but we have not witnessed large gatherings so far,” he concluded.
