Lebanon-Israel, Unifil deputy spokesperson to Nova: “The firefights have increased in intensity”

In the last week “we have witnessed exchanges of fire of greater intensity on some days in the last week” between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the militiamen of the pro-Iranian Shiite party Hezbollah. The deputy spokesperson of the United Nations Interposition Force in Lebanon (Unifil) said this to “Agenzia Nova”, Kandice Ardiel, reiterating concern “about any exchange and the potential miscalculation that could lead to a sudden and larger conflict.” “Since October we have witnessed dozens of incidents in which our positions and vehicles were hit by fire from both sides,” continued the spokeswoman, recalling that “in some cases the peacekeepers were injured, fortunately not in a serious”. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is also installing new fortifications at some of its positions in the south of the country, following growing fears of escalation.

Ardiel said that “we constantly emphasize to all parties that targeting UN positions or using areas close to our positions to launch attacks across the Blue Line (the dividing line between Israel and Lebanon) is unacceptable and represents a violation of (Security Council) Resolution 1701”. “We have always taken robust measures to ensure that peacekeepers are safe and able to carry out their tasks, including upgrading our premises if necessary,” the deputy spokeswoman continued, adding: “We continuously monitor the situation and we adjust them as necessary, but peacekeepers are still able to carry out their tasks on the ground and continue to implement resolution 1701.”

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