BEIRUT, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Thursday that its demining experts have resumed operations after a suspension for nearly two years due to crossfire along the Blue Line.
The statement said that demining experts from Cambodia and China have begun operations in two minefields near the village of Blida in the eastern sector and the village of Maroun al-Ras in the western sector, covering an area of about 18,000 square meters.
The resumption marks part of the joint demining efforts by the UNIFIL and the Lebanese army, which reduces the risks faced by civilians living in or visiting areas adjacent to the Blue Line -- a border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel established by the UN in 2000, and ultimately contributes to expanding state authority, the statement noted.
It further explained that the UNIFIL has increased its field capacity to 24 specialized teams for reconnaissance, clearance, and disposal of explosives, compared to only nine teams in October 2023.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported that an Israeli drone carried out a raid near a mosque in the town of Shebaa, while another drone dropped a sound bomb on al-Mahafir Hill on the outskirts of the village of Adaisseh, both near the southern border area. No immediate casualties were reported in these two incidents.
Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect, putting an end to the confrontations that erupted between them following the war in the Gaza Strip.
Despite the agreement, the Israeli army continues to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon, saying they are aimed at eliminating Hezbollah "threats." It has also maintained a presence at five main points in the Lebanese border area after the deadline for its complete withdrawal expired on Feb. 18. ■
