UNIFIL Asks Israel To End Airstrikes In South Lebanon

UNIFIL troops from Indonesia. (Wikimedia Commons/Kontingen Garuda)

JAKARTA - The UN Temporary Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday urged Israel to end its latest series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon.

"Today, UNIFIL peacekeeping forces are observing several Israeli airstrikes in Tayr Dibrabah, Taibe, and Ayta al Jabal, in our region of operation in southern Lebanon," the mission said in a statement. November 7th.

Furthermore, UNIFIL stressed that "the airstrike is a real violation of the resolution of the 1701 Security Council."

UNIFIL noted the attack "occurred when the Lebanese Armed Forces were carrying out operations to control weapons and illegal infrastructure in the southern Litani region."

UNIFIL said the Israeli attacks "on such a destructive scale threaten the safety of civilians and undermine the progress that is being made towards political and diplomatic solutions."

By declaring "peacekeeping forces continue to support Lebanon and Israel in implementing resolution 1701," the mission stressed it was "in the field with the Lebanese army, working to restore stability in southern Lebanon."

"We call on Israel to immediately stop these attacks and all violations of resolution 1701," he said.

The UN mission urged both sides to "obey their obligations based on the resolution of 1701 and the understanding reached in November, to avoid risks to the progress that has been achieved with great difficulty at this time."

UNIFIL has been operating in southern Lebanon since 1978 and is significantly strengthened based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war between Israel and the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

Israel has repeatedly launched airstrikes in Lebanon with claims targeting Hezbollah's infrastructure despite a ceasefire agreement in effect since November 2024.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January 2025. However, Israel only withdrew part of its troops and continued to maintain military presence at five border posts.