UN urges Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory as ceasefire holds amid tensions

UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, has described the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel as “fragile” and called on the Israeli army to withdraw from Lebanese territory without delay.

In his remarks to the Security Council, Lacroix emphasized that while the cessation of hostilities between the two countries remains intact, its stability is precarious, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

"The cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, while fragile, continues to hold," Lacroix stated. He noted that the Lebanese government remains committed to upholding the ceasefire agreements and reaffirmed the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) dedication to supporting both parties involved.

Lacroix also mentioned that any further deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) would be contingent on the prior withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). "Further LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) deployment is contingent on the prior withdrawal of the IDF (Israeli army)," he said.

The UN official welcomed reports of a planned sequenced withdrawal for Israeli forces and the deployment of the LAF. However, Lacroix highlighted ongoing concerns, stating: “With 10 days until the end of the stated 60-day period for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, however, Israeli demolitions of tunnels, buildings, and agricultural land continue."

"Some airstrikes have also been reported, as have ongoing violations of Lebanese airspace," he said, adding that the Israeli army's ongoing presence is a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war in Lebanon.

He urged the army "to withdraw from Lebanese territory without delay, certainly by the end of the period envisaged in the announcement of the cessation of hostilities."

Additionally, Lacroix reported that UN personnel continue to take shelter in bunkers due to ongoing Israeli attacks. He highlighted the constraints on UNIFIL's operational activities due to unexploded ordnance, Israeli roadblocks, and local interference. "UNIFIL's operational activities are further constrained due to the presence of unexploded ordnance, IDF roadblocks at various locations in the area of operations, and interference from local individuals," he said.

Patrick Gauchat, the head of the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), also reported Israeli presence at the area of separation.

"The IDF continued to carry out construction work inside the area of separation with heavy equipment. They also set up communication equipment inside the area," he said.

Gauchat pointed out that the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) had warned Israel about its violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria, following its presence in the area. "Some residents (in the area of separation) have also protested IDF searches in their villages, with some reporting arrests of their relatives," he added.

Emphasizing the importance of the disengagement agreement, Gauchat stated: "It is imperative that the UN peacekeepers are allowed to carry out their mandated task without obstruction."

Since Syrian anti-regime forces ousted Bashar Assad on December 8, Israel has intensified airstrikes across Syria, violating the country's sovereignty. Israel has also unilaterally terminated the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria, deploying forces in the demilitarized buffer zone of the occupied Golan Heights. This move has faced condemnation from the UN and several Arab nations.

While Israel asserts that its presence is temporary, officials have suggested that maintaining influence in Syria may be necessary for the foreseeable future.

By Vafa Guliyeva