In a statement released on Saturday, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti, mentioned that the casualties – three army observers from the UN Truce Supervision Group (UNTSO) and a Lebanese language assistant – have been evacuated for medical therapy.
The Lebanese state-run Nationwide Information Company reported that the UN peacekeepers have been “subjected to an Israeli strike” carried out by drones. Nonetheless, in a Tweet, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee mentioned that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) didn’t goal any UNIFIL automobiles within the Rmeish space.
Mr. Tenenti defined that the UNTSO observers, who’re a part of Observer Group Lebanon (OGL), help UNIFIL in implementing the power’s mandate, which incorporates monitoring the cessation of hostilities, serving to to make sure humanitarian entry to civilian populations and aiding the Lebanese authorities in securing the nation’s borders.
The spokesperson underlined the duty of all actors within the battle, beneath worldwide regulation, to make sure safety for non-combatants, and known as for a cessation of heavy exchanges of fireplace “earlier than extra persons are unnecessarily harm”.
In a media interview, Mr. Tenenti advised reporters that, following the 7 October Hamas assaults on Israel, the state of affairs in southern Lebanon has develop into more and more tense, with shelling going down deeper inside Lebanon which “may doubtlessly set off a a lot wider battle”.
Two days earlier than the explosion, UNIFIL expressed concern over a “surge of violence” occurring throughout the Blue Line, which has precipitated a “excessive variety of civilians and the destruction of properties and livelihoods”. The power known as for a ceasefire, and urged all sides within the battle to start the method towards a sustainable political and diplomatic resolution.
Afterward Saturday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres mentioned in a statement that the state of affairs alongside the Blue Line continues to be of grave concern, referring to the day by day exchanges of fireplace which have taken place between non-state armed teams based mostly in Lebanon and the Israel Protection Forces since 8 October 2023.
The civilian fatalities reported, destruction of residential and agricultural areas, and displacement of tens of hundreds of individuals on either side of the Blue Line, is unacceptable, declared the UN chief, and threaten the safety and stability of Lebanon, Israel, and the area.
