• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Israeli attacks jeopardize delicate stability in southern Lebanon: UN peacekeeping force

Iran Press TV

Saturday, 01 November 2025 11:27 AM

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned that southern Lebanon continues to experience a state of fragile stability, calling on all parties to refrain from any actions that could spark a conflict and to uphold their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel characterized the situation along the Blue Line - the demarcation line dividing Lebanon from the Israeli-occupied territories and the strategic Golan Heights - as one of cautious tranquility following the cessation of hostilities between the Israeli regime and Lebanon in November 2024.

Although the truce successfully halted active exchanges of fire, Pokharel noted that ongoing violations continue to put pressure on the fragile stability maintained for almost a year.

"There is an urgent need to avoid any further escalation," he stressed. "Continued violations risk undermining the progress the parties have made toward restoring stability. UNIFIL stands ready to support them in upholding Resolution 1701."

The resolution, which brokered a ceasefire in the 33-day-long war Israel launched against Lebanon in 2006, calls on the occupying Tel Aviv regime to respect Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pokharel stated that the mission is currently centered on three main objectives: ensuring stability along the Blue Line, assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in their redeployment efforts, and reinforcing the Lebanese state's presence across the southern region.

Even though notable progress has been achieved in various areas, he acknowledged that serious challenges remain.

Pokharel states that with support from UNIFIL, the Lebanese army forces have set up over 120 permanent positions in the region between the Litani River and the Blue Line since November 2024.

However, he stressed that Israel's military actions north of the Blue Line continue to be a significant source of tension.

The senior UNIFIL official argued that the Israeli military's presence north of the Blue Line represents a violation of Resolution 1701.

He highlighted that the mission has documented close to 7,000 airspace violations and more than 2,400 military incidents north of the Blue Line since the ceasefire, including both aerial and ground intrusions into Lebanese territory.

Pokharel cautioned that these actions undermine attempts to stabilize the border region.

He also pointed to a concerning rise in attacks targeting UN personnel.

"In October alone, UNIFIL personnel and assets were the targets of Israeli drone and grenade attacks three times," he said.

The UNIFIL was established to supervise the exit of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon after Israel's invasion in 1978. Its mandate was extended after the conflict in Lebanon during the summer of 2006.

Israeli assaults are taking place alongside rising pressure on the Lebanese government to dismantle the Hezbollah resistance movement. The United States and Israel have progressively criticized the peacekeeping force for not taking action against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Nonetheless, observers point out that the mandate of UNIFIL does not extend to countering Hezbollah, and the resistance group is generally perceived in Lebanon as a vital deterrent against Israeli aggression.

Even with the near-daily Israeli airstrikes and repeated violations of Lebanese airspace and sovereignty, Hezbollah stands as the only credible military force equipped to oppose the occupation and prevent further Israeli advances.

Lebanese authorities have denounced Israel's ongoing occupation of five sites in southern Lebanon, labeling it a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.