The United Nations has again called for freedom of movement for its peacekeepers in Lebanon who continue to closely monitor developments in the south of the country, including in the wake of the recent provisional agreement signed by the United States and Iran.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric updated journalists on the activities of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon ( UNIFIL ) and ongoing humanitarian support to people displaced by hostilities between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants.
He said UNIFIL peacekeepers reported observing 143 trajectories of projectiles on Thursday, with 119 attributed to Israel and the remainder to Hezbollah, and no violations of Lebanese airspace.
On Wednesday, they observed 364 projectile launches, with 330 attributed to Israel and 34 to Hezbollah, as well as 38 airspace violations.
UNIFIL convoy obstructed
Peacekeepers also continue to observe extensive Israeli ground activities throughout the mission's area of operations, he said, noting that a UNIFIL convoy was obstructed by two Israeli tanks in Tiri on Wednesday.
One of the tanks aimed its weapon at a UNIFIL vehicle, while soldiers signalled the convoy to halt, forcing the patrol to stop and reverse. The convoy was later allowed to take an alternate route to its intended destination.
"We reiterate once again that UNIFIL peacekeepers must have unrestricted freedom of movement throughout their area of operations, as they are doing their work on behalf of the Security Council ," he said.
Underlining UN commitment
Meanwhile, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator and top humanitarian official in Lebanon, Imran Riza, together with UNIFIL head Major General Diodato Abagnara, held talks with President Joseph Aoun and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri in Beirut on Wednesday.
"General Abagnara stressed that UNIFIL remains committed to supporting, in close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the full implementation of resolution 1701 , which continues to be the framework for restoring stability and security in south Lebanon," the Spokesperson said.
