Guterres calls for de-escalation of attacks along Blue Line between between Israel and Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his concern as cross-border attacks along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon intensity, according to Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric.

The Blue Line is an unofficial line that separates Israel and Lebanon. The line, implemented by the United Nations in 2000, does not serve as a border but is instead a “line of withdrawal”.

Dujarric adds that Guterres called for an immediate de-escalation as the actions “put both the Lebanese and Israeli populations at risk, as well as threatening regional security and stability.”

More than 600 UNIFIL peacekeepers on the Blue Line

Meanwhile, over 600 UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers continue to carry out their mission, as set out in the mandate by the security council, at the Spanish base Miguel de Cervantes in Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon.

The peacekeepers, also known as Blue Helmets, include male and female civilians, military and police who are on a UN peacekeeping mission. In this case, the Spanish Blue Helmets are in charge of bringing water every day to the advanced positions of the Blue Line.

“As UNIFIL continues to carry out its mandated activities in these challenging circumstances, the Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the head of the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, continue their contacts with the parties in order to de-escalate the situation.” Dujarric says.

Corporal Daniel Ramírez explains how him and his colleagues live with the regular clashes between Hezbollah and Israel: “In the end you get used to it. We come for a mission and this is what we’re doing and that’s it.”

Following an incident earlier this month that resulted in the injury of three peacekeepers, UNIFIL reminds all parties of their responsbility to avoid harm to the Blue Helmets.

The UN continues to scale up its relief efforts, but Dujarric admits that humanitarian responses are undermined by funding constraints and calls for additional resources.

“Meanwhile, our humanitarian colleagues tell us that the recent uptick in hostilities has not had a significant humanitarian impact. However, the ongoing conflict continues to severely impact civilians on both sides of the Blue Line,” Dujarric says.

He called on all parties to follow and to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, emphasizing the need to protect civilians, including children, and civilian infrastructure at all times.