UN calls on Israeli forces to leave south Lebanon, cites 'continuing destruction' despite truce

NEWS WIRES

26 December 2024 at 7:22 am·1-min read

UNIFIL soldiers stand next to a pit caused by an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on November 27, 2024, after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced alarm on Thursday at the "continuing destruction" of infrastructure in southern Lebanon despite Israel's late November ceasefire with Hezbollah, calling for a "timely withdrawal" of Israeli troops.

The United Nations' peacekeeping force in Lebanon expressed concern on Thursday at the "continuing" damage done by Israeli forces in the country's south despite a ceasefire in the war with Hezbollah.

The truce went into effect on November 27, about two months after Israel stepped up its bombing campaign and later sent troops into Lebanon following nearly a year of exchanges of cross-border fire initiated by Hezbollah over the war in Gaza.

The warring sides have since traded accusations of violating the truce.

Under the ceasefire agreement, UNIFIL peacekeepers and the Lebanese army were to redeploy in south Lebanon, near the Israeli border, as Israeli forces withdrew over 60 days.

UNIFIL said in a statement on Thursday that "there is concern at continuing destruction by the IDF (army) in residential areas, agricultural land and road networks in south Lebanon".

"Any actions that risk the fragile cessation of hostilities must cease," UNIFIL said.

(AFP)

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