Key facts
- UNIFIL reported a marked increase in Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon.
- UNIFIL recorded an average of 137 projectiles per day between August 5 and 16.
The UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported a significant increase in Israeli military activity and projectile launches into Lebanon over the past two weeks, urging all parties to avoid provocative actions amid rising tensions.
The increased military activity and reported violations of UN resolutions in southern Lebanon raise concerns about potential escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, impacting regional stability and civilian safety.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported a significant increase in Israeli military activity in southern Lebanon over the past two weeks, with an average of 137 projectiles launched daily between August 5 and 16, peaking at 208 on Saturday and 185 on Sunday. UNIFIL stated that Israeli flags planted on a main coastal highway in southern Lebanon violate UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The peacekeeping force urged all parties to avoid provocative actions as tensions rise and civilians bear the brunt of the insecurity. Israel's military responded that its forces are operating in southern Lebanon to remove Hezbollah threats in accordance with international law, and not against the Lebanese state or its citizens. The heightened hostilities follow Israeli strikes on Saturday that killed at least 11 people in southern Lebanon, which the Lebanese health ministry reported. The Israeli military stated these strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in response to actions against its soldiers.