The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) announced that it had observed the movement of dozens of Israeli military vehicles in its area of operations in southern Lebanon over the past two days, including several Merkavatanks.
According to the UN News Center, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said during a press briefing on Tuesday evening that UNIFIL peacekeepers “continue to monitor Israeli military presence and activities within the mission’s area of operations.”
He noted that the mission recorded the movement of 100 Israeli army vehicles in the eastern sector and about 60 in the western sector, in addition to hundreds of gunfire rounds fired from south of the Blue Line, some of which landed near a UNIFIL position in Kafr Shouba and close to Shebaa in the eastern sector.
“We remind all parties of their obligation to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and to respect UN property at all times,” Haq stressed.
He added that UNIFIL peacekeepers continue to uncover and report unauthorized weapon and ammunition caches to the Lebanese Army for disposal, while also supporting capacity-building and training programs for Lebanese troops on explosive threat response and defense techniques.
UNIFIL also continues to conduct joint patrols with the Lebanese Army to ensure security during the olive harvest season near the Blue Line.
Israeli occupation forces have repeatedly targeted UNIFIL sites in Lebanon, in violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
The Security Council last August extended UNIFIL’s mandate until December 31, 2026, marking its final renewal ahead of a planned, safe, and gradual one-year drawdown, after which the Lebanese Army will assume full security responsibility in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL was established in March 1978 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, with a mandate to confirm Israeli withdrawal, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in reasserting its authority in the area.
