The UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said on Friday that
escalating hostilities over the past two days involving Lebanese
and Israeli forces have created “a very dangerous situation” in
the volatile border region.
In a statement, the peacekeeping mission said that late Friday
morning, it had detected rocket launches from outside its area of
operations in south Lebanon towards the Israeli-occupied Golan.
This was followed almost immediately by an artillery response
from Israel directed at the general area around Kafer Chouba, a
village in the Hasbaya District of the Nabatieh Governorate, said
UNIFIL.
The nearly 11,000 strong UN force was created by the Security Council in 1978,
initially to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore
international peace and security, and help the Lebanese
Government restore its authority, amidst years of civil conflict.
In direct contact with the parties, Major General Stefano Del
Col, Head of the UN Interform Force (UNIFIL), called
on both sides to immediately stand down and desist from any
further agression.
‘Cease fire and maintain calm’
To prevent further escalation from spiralling out of control, the
UN mission is actively engaging with the parties through all
formal and informal liaisons and coordination mechanisms.
“We are coordinating with the Lebanese Armed Forces to strengthen
security measures throughout the area of operations”, the
statement said.
UNIFIL also called on the parties to “cease fire and maintain
calm” so an investigation can be carried out.
‘Restore calm’
At the same time, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna
Wronecka has expressed “great concern” over the recent exchange
of fire between Lebanon and Israel.
“The potential for miscalculation presents the risk of
serious consequences. Maximum restraint is required to
prevent further escalation”, she said in a statement.
The Special Coordinator called for “all sides to refrain from
violence and restore calm”, in full respect of Resolution
1701, and to “preserve security and stability”.
Growing needs
Meanwhile, Lebanon is grappling with COVID-19, an economic and
financial meltdown, and the disastrous human impact of the Beirut
Port explosions one year ago, as well as repercussions of the
Syrian crisis.
And last week, parts of the country were devastated by wildfires
that spread in forests throughout its Qubayyat region.
“Lebanon is facing a serious deterioration of the
humanitarian situation”, said
Najat Rochdi, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the country.
To provide life-saving support to 1.1 million of the most
vulnerable Lebanese and migrants affected by the ongoing crises,
the UN and its partners have published a new $378.5 million
Emergency
Response Plan (ERP).
The 2021-2022 plan complements UN relief agency (UNRWA)
programmes for Palestinian refugees, and the Lebanon Crisis
Response Plan (LCRP) for Syrian and Palestinian refugees,
developed under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator
and the Humanitarian Country Team in Lebanon with support from
the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA).
Plan details
In addition to saving lives and assisting people in need, the
12-month emergency plan also aims to mitigate tensions among and
between Lebanon’s various communities.
The time-bound relief strategy will be tied to solutions that
address root causes and require structural reforms and
Government-led development interventions.
The UN and other humanitarians will continue to provide support
to Lebanon’s most vulnerable until a comprehensive and inclusive
social protection strategy is in place.
Renewing ‘collective support’
This follows Wednesday’s International Conference
for Support, which co-chaired by the UN and France, coincided
with the anniversary of the Beirut Port explosions
that killed nearly 200 people and injured some 6,500.
“During the conference, the participants have renewed their
collective support to address the critical needs of the most
vulnerable among the crisis-affected Lebanese and migrants
through direct assistance to women, children and men who
desperately need our help, while urging for lasting solutions to
stop the collapse of the Country”, said Ms. Rochdi.
