The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed on Thursday deep concern about the escalating confrontations on both sides of the Blue Line.
In an interview with Al-Arabiya television, Candice Ardell, Deputy Director of the UNIFIL press office, warned of “a miscalculation that could lead to a sudden and broader conflict.” She urged both conflicting parties (Hezbollah and Israel) to “stop the escalation and reaffirm their commitment to Resolution 1701 for more peace and stability.”
Ardell revealed that the peacekeeping forces had begun “direct talks with both parties to the conflict, namely Hezbollah and the Israeli army, to urge them to call a ceasefire and reach a political and diplomatic solution.”
According to Ardell, a diplomatic solution is still possible, even though “Resolution 1701, which helped maintain relative stability for 17 years, is now facing many challenges.” This argument is supported by the position of the main parties, who “insist on the importance of 1701 and its level of effectiveness for a long-term settlement of the conflict.”
UNIFIL’s Mission Persists
Ardell said UNIFIL will continue to carry out its mission to achieve the full implementation of Resolution 1701, conducting patrols in collaboration with the Lebanese army. She added, “Around 20% of our operations are carried out in cooperation with the army.”
She noted that “any solution involving violence will only lead to more casualties and destruction on both sides of the Blue Line,” adding that “since October 8, UNIFIL posts and vehicles have been regularly exposed to incidents and firing from both sides, resulting in the death and injury of peacekeepers.” The UNIFIL representative also denounced these “unacceptable maneuvers which constitute a violation of Resolution 1701,” calling for “the perpetrators to be brought to justice.”
Netanyahu Addresses Serious Threats
The day after he visited Israel, US special envoy Amos Hochstein warned Lebanese leaders of “serious” threats from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu had threatened to step up his attacks on Lebanon if the parties involved failed to reach a political solution that would end the war in South Lebanon.
During his visit to Lebanon on Tuesday, Hochstein called for a political solution that would “prevent escalation into a full-scale war,” stressing the urgency of ending the conflict swiftly and diplomatically.
