Israeli army remains in 5 border outposts in southern Lebanon in violation of ceasefire agreement
The United Nations urged Israel and Lebanon on Tuesday to fulfill their obligations under a ceasefire agreement following a partial Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
“Another delay in this process is not what we hoped would happen, not least because it continues a violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701,” reads a joint statement by UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and head of UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Aroldo Lázaro.
The statement said “tangible progress” has been made since the ceasefire agreement took effect in late November.
“Much of the hard work to realize the commitments made in the November Understanding, and in resolution 1701, is still ahead of us. We call on both parties to meet their obligations," the UN officials said.
“A sense of safety among communities of southern Lebanon, who are grappling with the wide-scale destruction of their villages and towns, as well as residents of northern Israel who had to leave their homes, will not be built overnight and cannot come from a continuation of military operations. Rather, sustained political commitment is the only way forward.”
Resolution 1701 mandates a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and establishes a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line, a de facto border, and the Litani River, with exceptions for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces.
“Lebanon and Israel must make the solutions envisaged by the November Understanding and resolution 1701 a reality, on both sides of the Blue Line,” the statement said.
“The United Nations in Lebanon stands ready to continue supporting all efforts in that direction.”
The Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanese towns early Tuesday, but remained in five border outposts, in violation of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the five outposts a "buffer zone" to protect Israeli settlements against Hezbollah attacks.
A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since Nov. 27, ending months of mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has still committed nearly 1,000 violations, killing and injuring dozens in Lebanon, including women and children.
