BEIRUT, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned on Thursday that the situation in southern Lebanon remains extremely fragile, urging all parties to avoid escalation and recommit to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
In a written interview with Xinhua, UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel described the field situation along the Blue Line as one of "fragile stability" following the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024. He said the ceasefire agreement ended active exchanges of fire, but ongoing violations continue to test the calm that has largely held for nearly a year.
"There is an urgent need to avoid any further escalation," he said. "Continued violations risk undermining the progress the parties have made toward restoring stability. UNIFIL stands ready to support them in upholding Resolution 1701."
UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006, called for a complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War. It requires the disarmament of all non-state actors in southern Lebanon and the deployment of state forces along the Israeli border.
According to Pokharel, UNIFIL's work now focuses on three priorities: maintaining stability along the Blue Line, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in their redeployment, and helping extend the authority of the Lebanese state across the south. He added that while many of these efforts have succeeded, serious obstacles remain.
According to Pokharel, with UNIFIL's support, the LAF has been redeployed to more than 120 permanent positions in UNIFIL's area of operations between the Litani River and the Blue Line since November 2024.
However, Pokharel said Israel's military activities north of the Blue Line remain a major source of tension. "The mere presence of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) north of the Blue Line constitutes violation of Resolution 1701," Pokharel said, adding that the mission has recorded nearly 7,000 air violations and over 2,400 activities north of the Blue Line since last year's truce. These include air and ground incursions into Lebanese territory, which he said undermine efforts to stabilize the border region.
Pokharel also highlighted a recent increase in Israeli attacks against peacekeepers. "In October alone, UNIFIL personnel and assets were the targets of Israeli drone and grenade attacks three times," Pokharel noted, adding, "Our peacekeepers were also targeted by laser pointing and subjected to other aggressive behavior, including attempts to obstruct their movements."
Despite these challenges, UNIFIL peacekeepers have worked with the LAF to monitor sensitive areas and prevent potential flare-ups. Pokharel noted that this cooperation has been crucial in stopping isolated incidents from escalating into broader confrontations.
At the same time, UNIFIL continues to engage both the LAF and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through liaison channels, which he said are designed to resolve misunderstandings and "deconflict tensions" whenever they arise.
According to Pokharel, UNIFIL has begun demining operations in several areas. "We have discovered more than 350 unguarded weapons and ammunition caches and over 280 unexploded ordnance in our area of operations," he said.
Pokharel also commented on the arrangements following the expiration of UNIFIL's mandate. After the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2790 in August, which extended the mandate for a final time until Dec. 31, 2026, the mission is expected to begin an orderly drawdown within a year, enabling the Lebanese government to assume full responsibility for security in the south.
Pokharel confirmed that contingency plans are in place for all scenarios, including a potential deterioration of the situation on the ground. ■
