NNA – The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday voiced concern over the ongoing exchange of fire between the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group.
quot;I am concerned by the ongoing intensification of the exchanges of fire along the Blue Line that has already claimed too many lives, caused significant damage, and jeopardized livelihoods,quot; Aroldo Lazaro, the head of UNIFIL, said in a statement.
The Blue Line is the line set by the UN for the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Lebanon in 2000.
He urged both parties to halt the exchange of fire in order to end what he described as quot;cycle of violencequot; across the borderline areas.
quot;Any further escalation in Southern Lebanon could have devastating consequences,quot; he added.
The UNIFIL head called on the Israeli and Lebanese sides to abide by the UN Security Council resolution 1701, and to address quot;underlying causes of conflict.quot;
Tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.
The border tension comes amid an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The four-day humanitarian pause between the Israeli army and Palestinian group Hamas came into effect on Friday morning in all areas of the Gaza Strip, temporarily stopping attacks for prisoner exchange and aid.
Hezbollah said Wednesday that it would abide by the four-day humanitarian pause between Israel and Hamas in Gaza even though it was not part of the deal. — AA
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