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UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric updated journalists on the activities of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFILE) and ongoing humanitarian support to people displaced by hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.
He said UNIFILE Peacekeepers reported observing 143 projectile trajectories on Thursday, with 119 attributed to Israel and the rest to Hezbollahand there was no violation of Lebanese airspace.
On Wednesday, they observed 364 projectile launches, with 330 attributed to Israel and 34 to Hezbollah, as well as 38 airspace violations.
UNIFIL convoy blocked
Peacekeepers also continue to carry out observations extensive Israeli ground activity throughout the mission’s operational areahe said, noting that the UNIFIL convoy was blocked by two Israeli tanks in Tiri on Wednesday.
One of the tanks aimed its gun at the UNIFIL vehiclewhile soldiers signaled the convoy to stop, forcing the patrol to halt and retreat. The convoy was then allowed to take an alternative route to its intended destination.
“We emphasize once again that UNIFIL peacekeepers must have unrestricted freedom of movement throughout their area of operations, because they carry out their work in the name of Security Councilhe said.
Underscores UN commitment
Meanwhile, UN Deputy Special Coordinator and top humanitarian official in Lebanon, Imran Riza, together with UNIFIL chief Major General Diodato Abagnara, held talks with President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut on Wednesday.
“General Abagnara stressed that point UNIFIL remains committed to supporting, through close coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, full implementation resolution 1701which continues to be the framework for restoring stability and security in southern Lebanon,” the spokesperson said.
Read more about Resolution 1701 (2006) in our explanation.
Humanitarian renewal
Turning to humanitarian development, Dujarric said UNIFIL facilitated nine humanitarian missions on Wednesday in the western sector of its operational area.
That UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher did the same announced additional allocation of $12 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the conflict.
“This funding will help communities access health services and protection from gender-based violence, as well as other important services,” Dujarric said.
“This will also help address the increasing food insecurity we are seeing among some refugee populations in Lebanon.”
It’s hard to go back home
Nearly 50,000 people have returned to their homes in Nabatieh and South Governorates since the regional ceasefire was announced. according to UN humanitarian agency Ocha.
Not yet, more than 106,000 remain in collective locations across the countryand many others sought refuge elsewhere.
In addition, OCHA said its partners warned that ongoing insecurity, widespread destruction and limited access to basic services continue to prevent many people from returning to their homes.
