UNIFIL says it observed Israeli troops crossing into Lebanese territory

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said its peacekeepers observed Israeli soldiers crossing into Lebanese territory earlier on Tuesday before returning south of the Blue Line.

In a statement, UNIFIL said the soldiers entered areas near the southern villages of Markaba, Odaisseh, Kfarkela, and Ramyeh before withdrawing.

The force said that since the latest conflict and the agreement on a cessation of hostilities, the Israeli army has maintained five positions and two buffer zones inside Lebanese territory, describing this as a violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

Over the past two days, UNIFIL said it recorded multiple Israeli airstrikes, hundreds of incidents of gunfire across the Blue Line, and 84 airspace violations, in addition to dozens of rockets and shells launched by Hezbollah toward Israel. It described each incident as a serious breach of Resolution 1701.

UNIFIL said it remains in constant contact with both the Lebanese and Israeli sides, as well as with the monitoring mechanism, urging de-escalation.

Despite what it called extremely challenging conditions, the mission said it continues to carry out its mandate under Resolution 1701 and will continue to report developments to the Security Council. It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting stability, reducing tensions, and extending Lebanese state authority, while maintaining close coordination with local communities and partners and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of its peacekeepers.