“We urge the Israel Defense Forces to take advantage of the liaison and coordination mechanisms at their disposal,” UNIFIL said. “We warn Lebanese actors against any reaction that could further aggravate the situation.”
Meanwhile, the Security Council is currently in Lebanon to meet with national authorities, after visiting Syria earlier this month.
Violation of key agreement
UNIFIL emphasized that Thursday’s airstrikes are “clear violations” of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in 2006.
On Thursday night, six men on three mopeds approached peacekeepers patrolling near the Bint Jbeil district and one of them fired approximately three shots into the rear of the vehicle. No one was injured.
“Attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and serious violations of resolution 1701,” UNIFIL stressed and urged both sides to honor their commitments to safeguard the progress achieved so far.
UNIFIL continues to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon and support both sides in the implementation of the agreement.
Read our UN News explainer on Resolution 1701 here.