The timelines outlined in the November ceasefire agreement have not been met, as stated in a joint statement by UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL head, Aroldo Lázaro.
This agreement followed over a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, stemming from the Israeli war in Gaza.
“As seen tragically this morning, conditions are not yet in place for the safe return of citizens to their villages along the Blue Line,” they noted, referring to the buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon.
Israel has cautioned Lebanese civilians against returning to their homes in the south this weekend, citing alleged violations of the ceasefire terms as the reason for their continued presence in the area.
Violations of resolution 1701 observed daily
“Displaced communities are being urged to exercise caution, as violations of UN Security Council resolution 1701 are still being recorded on a daily basis.”
Resolution 1701, established in 2006, called for a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
According to the terms of the November ceasefire agreement, Israel was expected to have completely removed its forces from the region by Sunday.
‘So much at stake’
The Special Coordinator and UNIFIL chief emphasized that compliance with the November agreement and the full implementation of resolution 1701 are crucial to moving past the recent conflict and towards a more secure and stable future for both sides of the Blue Line.
The UN remains committed to engaging with all parties involved and stands ready to support actions in line with resolution 1701 and the efforts of the Implementing Mechanism to achieve the goals of the November Understanding.
“Given the high stakes for both Lebanon and Israel, it is essential for all sides to recommit to these efforts,” they stressed in the statement.
Considerable changes since the ceasefire
The UN officials highlighted the significant developments in Lebanon since the Cessation of Hostilities Understanding was implemented on November 27, 2024.
Violence has notably decreased, allowing hundreds of thousands of people in southern Lebanon to return to their communities.
The Lebanese Armed Forces have shown determination in taking over positions relinquished by the Israel Defense Forces, with support from UNIFIL. They have been instrumental in restoring services and facilitating humanitarian access in conflict-affected areas.
The ongoing government formation process, following the election of a president and appointment of a prime minister, plays a crucial role in rebuilding trust between Lebanese citizens and the State. These developments bode well for the expansion of state authority over all Lebanese territory and the nation’s recovery, reconstruction, and growth.
UNIFIL troops on standby
UNIFIL expresses deep concern over reports of Lebanese civilians returning to villages where Israeli Defense Forces are still present and instances of casualties due to Israeli actions, as stated in a mission statement on Sunday.
In response to the Lebanese Armed Forces’ request, UNIFIL peacekeepers are deploying to designated areas within their operational scope to monitor the situation and prevent further escalation.
However, UNIFIL clarifies that crowd control falls outside their mandate, focusing instead on supporting the implementation of resolution 1701.
‘IDF must cease firing on Lebanese civilians’
The UN peacekeeping mission stresses the importance of preventing further deterioration of the situation. It urges the Lebanese population to heed the LAF directives aimed at safeguarding lives and averting violence escalation in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL insists that the Israeli Defense Forces refrain from targeting civilians within Lebanese territory to avoid heightening tensions and jeopardizing the fragile security achieved through the ceasefire and Lebanon’s new government.
The mission underscores the critical need for full compliance with resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities arrangements, including IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, removal of unauthorized weapons south of the Litani river, redeployment of the LAF in southern Lebanon, and safe return of displaced civilians across the Blue Line.
