Hamilton, Canada - UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix called the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel a "fragile" situation and urged the Israeli military to immediately withdraw from Lebanese territory.
“The cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, although fragile, is still viable,” Lacroix told a UN Security Council meeting.
Lacroix noted the Lebanese government's commitment to maintaining the ceasefire agreement and stressed that the United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) would continue to support both parties.
“Further deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is contingent on the withdrawal of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF),” he said.
Lacroix welcomed the planned phased withdrawal of the IDF followed by the deployment of the LAF.
However, he highlighted that with only 10 days left until the end of the 60-day period set for the withdrawal, Israel is still carrying out the destruction of tunnels, buildings and agricultural land.
“Several airstrikes were also reported, as were ongoing violations of Lebanese airspace,” he added.
Lacroix stated that Israel's military presence in Lebanese territory was a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war in Lebanon.
He urged the Israeli military to "withdraw from Lebanese territory without delay, at least before the period specified in the ceasefire announcement ends."
Lacroix also reported that UN personnel remained at UNIFIL headquarters or took shelter in bunkers due to the Israeli military offensive.
“UNIFIL operations are further hampered by the presence of explosives, roadblocks by the IDF in various locations, and harassment from local residents,” he explained.