UN urges Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory ‘without delay’
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix says a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is “fragile,” calling on Israeli troops to withdraw from areas in southern Lebanon.
“The cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, while fragile, continues to hold,” Lacroix told the UN Security Council, acknowledging the Lebanese government’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement.
Lacroix welcomed a reported plan set for a sequenced withdrawal plan for the Israeli army and the deployment of Lebanese forces.
“With 10 days until the end of the stated 60-day period for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, however, Israeli demolitions of tunnels, buildings, and agricultural land continue,” he said.
“Some airstrikes have also been reported, as have ongoing violations of Lebanese airspace,” he added.
Lacroix said UN personnel either remain at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s (UNIFIL) base or seek shelter in bunkers due to the Israeli army’s attacks.
“UNIFIL’s operational activities are further constrained due to the presence of unexploded ordnance, Israeli army’s roadblocks at various locations in the area of operations, and interference from local individuals,” he said.
The senior UN official said the Israeli military’s ongoing occupation is a violation of Security Council Resolution 1701, which brokered a ceasefire in the war the Tel Aviv regime launched against Lebanon in 2006.
He urged the Israeli military “to withdraw from Lebanese territory without delay, certainly by the end of the period envisaged in the announcement of the cessation of hostilities.”
Israel was forced to accept the ceasefire with the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement after suffering heavy losses following almost 14 months of fighting and failing to achieve its goals in its aggression on Lebanon.
The truce deal came into effect on November 27. It will last for 60 days in the hope of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities.
Under the agreement, an international monitoring committee, headed by the United States, is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire.
Fighting Israel’s impunity over Gaza genocide a 'global responsibility': Iran
Islamic Jihad: Israeli captives could return 'in coffins' if attacks on Gaza continue
Israel failed in Gaza, Palestinians closer to liberation: Hamas
IRGC chief unveils new strategic underground base in south Iran
Russia involved in $7.5bn worth of petroleum contracts in Iran: Minister
Iran president orders probe to identify perpetrators of Supreme Court terrorist attack
Iran-Russia partnership deal primarily covers economic cooperation: Araghchi
Fighting Israel’s impunity over Gaza genocide a 'global responsibility': Iran
Islamic Jihad: Israeli captives could return 'in coffins' if attacks on Gaza continue
VIDEO | Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement
Iran-Russia strategic alliance bedrock of shift toward new world order
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
