UNIFIL slams Israel's destruction of homes and infrastructure in south Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday warned that “any actions that risk the fragile cessation of hostilities” in south Lebanon “must cease.”

“Israel and Lebanon have recommitted to full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701. To address outstanding issues, both parties are urged to utilize the newly-established Mechanism as agreed in the understanding,” UNIFIL said in a statement.

“UNIFIL continues to urge the timely withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (Israeli army) and deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon and the full implementation of resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path toward peace,” the U.N. force added.

Noting that is is working closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces as they accelerate recruitment efforts and redeploy troops to the south, the mission said it stands ready to “play its role in supporting both countries meet their obligations and monitoring progress.”

“This includes ensuring the area south of the Litani River is free of any armed personnel, assets or weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL as well as respect for the Blue Line,” it said.

It added that “there is concern at continuing destruction by the IDF

(Israeli army) in residential areas, agricultural land, and road networks in south Lebanon,” warning that “this is in violation of resolution 1701.”

“Peacekeepers will continue their mandated tasks, including the monitoring and reporting to the Security Council of all violations of resolution 1701,” it stressed.

A truce between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on November 27, about two months after Israel stepped up a bombing campaign and later sent troops into Lebanon following nearly a year of exchanges of cross-border fire initiated by Hezbollah over the war in Gaza.

The warring sides have since traded accusations of violating the truce.

Under the ceasefire agreement, UNIFIL peacekeepers and the Lebanese Army were to redeploy in south Lebanon, near the Israeli border, as Israeli forces withdrew over 60 days.

The resolution states that Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers should be the only forces in south Lebanon, where Hezbollah exerts control, and also calls for Israeli troops to withdraw from Lebanese territory.

On Monday, UNIFIL had urged "accelerated progress" in the Israeli military's withdrawal.

Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported on Thursday "extensive" operations by Israeli forces in the south.

It said residents of Qantara fled to a nearby village "following an incursion by Israeli enemy forces into their town."

On Wednesday the NNA said Israeli aircraft struck the eastern Baalbek region, far from the border.