As an uneasy calm prevailed in southern Lebanon with the start of the four-day truce in the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, the commander of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Aroldo Lázaro, urged Hezbollah and Israel not to escalate their border confrontations.
“As peacekeepers, we strongly urge those involved in the gunfire along the Blue Line to halt this cycle of violence,” said Lázaro. He added, “Any further escalation in southern Lebanon could have devastating consequences.”
Furthermore, he stressed “the need for the parties involved to reaffirm their commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostile acts.”
Lázaro also highlighted “the importance of seeking long-term solutions to address the underlying causes of the conflict.”
According to an AFP count, cross-border clashes between Israel and Hezbollah have resulted in the loss of 109 lives in Lebanon since October 7, including at least 77 Hezbollah fighters and 14 civilians.
