WASHINGTON, DC – THE United Nations is again expressing concern over the escalating violence in southern Lebanon, warning that continued exchanges of fire threaten civilian lives and undermine fragile efforts to de-escalate tensions across the Middle East.
The latest developments come amid the wider conflict involving Israel and Iran, which has drawn neighbouring countries and armed groups into the crisis. In Lebanon, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the fighting as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah intensify.
Despite international calls for restraint, military activity has surged in recent days. According to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), nearly 500 projectiles were recorded crossing the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon within a 16-hour period on Tuesday.
Speaking during a press briefing, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said UNIFIL personnel continue to observe heavy air activity and exchanges of fire across southern Lebanon and within the peacekeeping mission's area of operations.
“As we stressed during the emergency Security Council session yesterday, we call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and fully adhere to the cessation of hostilities that was agreed to,” Dujarric said.
He revealed that between midnight and 4:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, UNIFIL recorded 478 projectile trajectories, with 468 attributed to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and 10 linked to Hezbollah. The mission also documented nine Israeli airstrikes and 46 violations of Lebanese airspace.
The activity followed an even more intense day on Monday, when UNIFIL reported 702 projectile trajectories from IDF positions and 47 launches by Hezbollah. Peacekeepers also observed widespread air operations and strikes affecting road networks in both sectors of the mission's area of responsibility.
The escalation has involved sustained artillery, mortar and rocket fire, raising concerns over the safety of both civilians and peacekeeping personnel.
UNIFIL reported two recent security incidents affecting its forces. On May 31, two machine-gun rounds struck a prefabricated accommodation unit in Sector East, penetrating three rooms. No personnel were injured as those assigned to the facility had taken shelter elsewhere.
In a separate incident on Monday, a drone intercepted by the IDF exploded over a UNIFIL position southwest of Naqoura. No injuries or damage were reported. Both incidents remain under investigation.
Despite the security challenges, UN peacekeepers continue to support humanitarian efforts. On Tuesday, UNIFIL facilitated two aid missions to the city of Tyre in coordination with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
Today, Italian peacekeepers donated an ambulance and medical supplies to the Lebanese Armed Forces Military Hospital in Badaro, Beirut. The handover was attended by UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's revised Flash Appeal will be launched in Beirut on Friday by UN Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator Imran Riza and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The appeal aims to secure funding for life-saving assistance to vulnerable communities affected by the conflict.
Dujarric also provided an update on the current Flash Appeal, launched in March seeking US$308.3 million. As of June, donors have contributed US$185.9 million, representing roughly 60 percent of the funding required.
