UN peacekeepers report increasing violations of Lebanese airspace amid Israeli attacks

By Muhammet Ikbal Arslan

GENEVA (AA) - Heavy shelling and powerful airstrikes, as well as the number of violations over Lebanese airspace have increased recently, said the spokesperson for the UN peacekeepers in the country, as Israel continued its attack on Lebanon.

"In recent days, the amount of heavy shelling and powerful airstrikes, as well as the number of air violations over Lebanese airspace have grown," Andrea Tenenti said.

Also touching on a "significant increase" in bombardment, particularly in southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL operates, he said that heavy shelling also continues daily in the capital city of Beirut and other parts of the country.

Recalling Israeli statements, asking the UNIFIL mission to leave their posts, Tenenti said: "We are here deployed because the Security Council wants us to be here," adding that it is important to stay there and to report what is happening on the ground.

UN Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, calls for a cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel, establishing a demilitarized zone between the Blue Line – the Lebanon-Israel border –and the Litani River, with only Lebanese forces and UNIFIL authorized to operate there.

Israel has repeatedly targeted UNIFIL positions in southern Lebanon in recent days, drawing global condemnation and concerns about broader military intentions. The strikes coincide with Israeli airstrikes on alleged Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

Since late September, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed over 1,500 people, injured more than 4,500, and displaced at least 1.34 million, according to official reports.

The overall death toll from Israeli actions since last October now exceeds 13,000, based on figures from Lebanese authorities.