UN urges Israel to halt airstrikes in southern Lebanon

NEW YORK, United States (MNTV) – The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has called on Israel to immediately stop its airstrikes in southern Lebanon, warning that the ongoing attacks are clear violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

“Today, UNIFIL peacekeepers observed multiple Israeli airstrikes in Tayr Dibbah, Taibe, and Ayta al Jabal, within our area of operations in south Lebanon,” the mission said in a statement.

“These airstrikes constitute clear violations of Security Council resolution 1701.”

UNIFIL noted that the attacks came as the Lebanese Armed Forces were conducting operations to control unauthorized weapons and infrastructure south of the Litani River. The mission warned that Israeli strikes “on such a destructive scale threaten the safety of civilians and undermine the progress being made toward a political and diplomatic solution.”

“Peacekeepers continue to support both Lebanon and Israel in their implementation of resolution 1701,” UNIFIL said. “We are on the ground with Lebanese soldiers, working to restore stability in south Lebanon. We call on Israel to immediately cease these attacks and all violations of resolution 1701.”

The statement also urged both sides to honor their commitments under the resolution and uphold the understanding reached in November to prevent renewed conflict.

UNIFIL has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was significantly expanded under Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel has continued to launch airstrikes in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah positions, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. Under the truce, Israeli forces were required to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 2025, but they have so far only partially pulled out and continue to occupy five border outposts.