By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN head of the peacekeeping operations Jean Pierre Lacroix on Monday told reporters in New York that the UNSC members had given a “unanimous expression of support” to peacekeepers in Lebanon remained in position along the Blue Line that separates south Lebanon from Israel, despite coming under fire, with 5 “Blue Helmets” sustained injuries after attacks by Israeli forces.
Jean Pierre Lacroix briefed the media in New York after a closed door meeting on peacekeeping mission UNIFIL, as Israeli called for the force to vacate the area and move further north.
He said lines of communication with Israel remained open and there had been no incidents or attack on UNFIL positions on Monday.
Mr. Lacroix stressed that it was for Hezbollah, Israel and other parties to implement Security Council resolution 1701, with UNIFIL present to provide support in line with their mandate.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasized that the people of Lebanon, many displaced by Israel’s military offensive in the south, overwhelmingly desire peace.
Grandi was addressing UNHCR Executive Committee in Geneva, said that nowhere is “uncertainty and anxiety more palpable at the moment than in Lebanon”.
“Uncertainty clouds the lives of ordinary civilians in Lebanon today. Surely, if airstrikes continue, many more will be displaced and some will also decide to move on to other countries,” he said.
Mr. Grandi reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon as well as in the Gaza Strip “A ceasefire that is sustained by a meaningful peace process, difficult as it may be. This is the only way to break the cycle of violence, of hatred, and of misery,” he stressed.
He emphasized that a ceasefire would not only allow the displaced to return home, but also help stop the drift towards regional war.
The urgency of a diplomatic solution to the conflict was reiterated in southern Lebanon, where UN peacekeepers serving at the UN Interim Force in Lebanon remain in their positions, under the mandate of the Security Council, despite being targeted once more over the weekend.
UNIFIL said that 5 peacekeepers have been injured, peacekeeping positions breached and damaged, with movement hampered by Israel Defense Forces over recent days, against the backdrop of skyrocketing tensions, ongoing shelling from Hezbollah and Israel and more incursions into Lebanon by the IDF.
UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said “We need to be there, we need to have an impartial force in southern Lebanon that can still report to the Security Council”.
UN Security Council established UNIFIL to monitor the cessation of hostilities after 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, confirmed the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and assisting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in the area.
The mission is not able to aid local communities and its monitoring capabilities have been limited due to the ongoing shelling and bombing, Mr. Tenenti emphasized that its role right now is perhaps “more crucial than ever”.
According to UNHCR “So, it is important to keep an international presence and to keep the UN flag in the area.”
The humanitarian situation across Lebanon continues to deteriorate, with more than 1.2 million people displaced from their homes.”
The agency is boosting up its emergency response and providing critical assistance to both Lebanese as well as refugees who were sheltering there before the hostilities escalated.
UNHCR said in a post on X that “The streets of Beirut are filled with people struggling to find shelters. Humanitarian needs are significantly increasing,”.
Thousands of Lebanese civilians have crossed into Syria under difficult circumstances, many among them women and children.
According to the UNICEF, the dramatic escalation has also severely impacted children. they made up a third of the total number driven from their homes.
Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, explained that many of the affected children have been taken in by relatives or family friends but some are in shelters.
He said UNICEF is supporting families with nutrition, and psychosocial support and learning activities for children.
It is making sure that there is water and sanitation facilities for a school that is not equipped to receive over 400 people.
“What the country really needs is an end to violations of international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and a ceasefire,” Mr. Chaiban said.
“This madness has to stop,” he concluded.
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