UN called on Israel to promptly withdraw from Lebanese territory
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, has described the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah as "fragile." He has urged Israeli forces to retreat from specific regions in southern Lebanon to maintain and support peace efforts.
“The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel remains intact, albeit fragile,” Jean-Pierre Lacroix informed the United Nations Security Council. He commended the Lebanese government’s dedication to upholding the ceasefire agreement.
The official stated that the deployment of Lebanese armed forces to the southern region is dependent on the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Lacroix expressed approval for a proposed strategy detailing a phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces, alongside the deployment of Lebanese troops.
He stated that with only 10 days remaining in the designated 60-day timeframe for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, Israel continues to demolish tunnels, buildings, and sections of agricultural land.
He further stated that reports have emerged of several airstrikes, along with continuous breaches of Lebanese airspace.
Lacroix reported that United Nations personnel are either staying at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) base or taking refuge in bunkers amid attacks by the Israeli army.
“UNIFIL’s operational activities face additional restrictions due to the presence of unexploded ordnance, Israeli military roadblocks at multiple locations within the operational area, and disruptions caused by local individuals,” he stated.
A high-ranking official from the United Nations has reported that the continued occupation by Israeli forces contravenes the stipulations of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. This resolution, established to secure a ceasefire in the conflict initiated by Israel against Lebanon in 2006, is currently being violated, according to the official.
He called on the Israeli military to promptly evacuate Lebanese territory, emphasizing the necessity to complete the withdrawal by the deadline outlined in the ceasefire announcement.
Israel has agreed to a ceasefire with the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement after enduring significant losses over nearly 14 months of conflict, during which time it struggled to meet its objectives in its campaign in Lebanon.
The ceasefire agreement was implemented on November 27, marking the beginning of a 60-day period aimed at achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict.
According to the terms of the agreement, a global monitoring committee led by the United States has been assigned the responsibility of supervising the enforcement of the ceasefire.
