BEIRUT, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Any Israeli military presence north of the Blue Line constitutes a "violation" of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, an official at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has said, calling for Israel's complete withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
"We will continue to publicly and officially protest Israel's presence in Lebanon until a complete withdrawal is achieved," UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told Xinhua in a recent interview.
According to Tenenti, the UNIFIL has recorded more than 1,600 air violations and over 600 missile or artillery strikes by Israeli forces since a ceasefire took effect in late November 2024.
"Most of these incidents involved Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory, with around 24 airstrikes reported within UNIFIL's area of operations between the Litani River and the Blue Line," he said.
UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, mandates Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and bars armed groups from operating south of Lebanon's Litani River. It became the foundation of the 2024 ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, who have engaged in nearly 14 months of confrontation since October 2023 following the war in the Gaza Strip.
Although the agreement requires Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory, Israeli forces have maintained positions at five key locations along the Lebanese border well past the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline. On Friday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli troops will maintain their current presence in southern Lebanon "indefinitely." Lebanon has repeatedly condemned Israeli "occupation" and urged international pressure on Israel to complete its withdrawal.
"We support all political and diplomatic efforts toward a lasting solution, which ultimately depends on the courage and determination of both parties," Tenenti said.
Regarding UNIFIL's role in Lebanon's reconstruction efforts after the conflict, Tenenti said the mission not only fulfills its primary duty of peacekeeping but also, with its "peacekeepers from nearly 50 countries," assists thousands of displaced Lebanese with their return to hometowns in the south, in addition to work such as clearing roads, neutralizing unexploded ordnance, and supporting schools and hospitals.
"Our peacekeepers have worked behind the scenes to help humanitarian and development agencies reach communities affected by the conflict," he noted.
The UN Security Council established the UNIFIL in March 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in restoring effective control over the area. Its mandate has been expanded following the 2006 war to include supervising the ceasefire and supporting Lebanese forces in maintaining security. ■
