UN calls on Israeli army to avoid firing at civilians in southern Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Sunday urged the Israeli military to refrain from targeting civilians in southern Lebanon, as at least 15 people were killed and 83 others injured by Israeli fire, according to local authorities.

Displaced civilians attempting to return to their homes in southern Lebanon were caught in the crossfire, exacerbating an already fragile security situation. In a statement, UNIFIL called on the Israeli military to exercise restraint, warning that further violence could destabilize the area.

“The Israeli army must avoid firing at civilians within Lebanese territory,” the statement said. UNIFIL added that the current violence jeopardizes the tenuous stability fostered by the cessation of hostilities and efforts to form a government in Lebanon.

The peacekeeping mission reported deploying forces throughout its area of operations at the request of the Lebanese army, with the aim of monitoring developments and preventing further escalation. However, UNIFIL clarified that crowd management falls outside its mandate.

UN Resolution 1701’s key mandates for Lebanon’s stability

The mission reiterated the “critical importance” of adhering to UN Resolution 1701, which calls for the cessation of hostilities and the implementation of key measures, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from

Lebanon and the removal of unauthorized weapons south of the Litani River. The resolution also mandates the redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in southern Lebanon and the safe return of displaced civilians.

Tensions have been mounting as the Israeli military remains in southern Lebanon, despite the expiration of a 60-day withdrawal deadline on Sunday. The timeline for the withdrawal was established as part of a ceasefire agreement reached on November 27, 2024, following months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Under the ceasefire terms, Israel was required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line, the de facto border, in phases, while the LAF was tasked with deploying in the region. The truce marked the end of mutual hostilities that began on October 8, 2023, and escalated into a full-scale conflict on September 23, 2024.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 4,068 people, including women, children, and health workers, and left 16,670 others injured.