Israel Destroys UN Mission and Lebanese Army Property Despite Truce

Referencial image. UNIFIL official in Lebanon. Photo: X/ @UNIFIL_

January 4, 2025 Hour: 3:57 pm

The UN peace mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Saturday that the Israeli army has destroyed with a bulldozer an identified property of the blue helmets, as well as an observation tower of the Lebanese armed forces, despite the truce in force, which ends at the end of this month.

UN peacekeepers reported the destruction by the Israeli army of a blue barrel marking the withdrawal line between Lebanon and Israel and an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces in Labbouneh.

Statement:

This morning peacekeepers observed an IDF bulldozer destroying a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel in Labbouneh, as well as an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces immediately beside a UNIFIL position there.
— UNIFIL (@UNIFIL_) January 4, 2025

The mission noted that these actions constitute a serious violation of resolution 1701 and international law, as they are clearly identifiable properties related to UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces operations.

“We call on all actors to avoid any action, including the destruction of civilian property and infrastructure, that could endanger the cessation of hostilities,” the note concludes.

Israel has repeatedly violated the 60-day truce in force in Lebanon, brokered by the US following the escalation of the Israeli army’s war against that country and Hizbullah positions.

The truce stipulates that Israeli troops must withdraw from Lebanon, as they occupy a southern part of the country after launching an invasion in early October, while Hezbollah fighters are to retreat north of the Litani River.