UN Officials Say Lebanese-Israeli Border Developments 'Worrying'

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Zibqin in southern Lebanon on August 25, 2024, amid escalations in the ongoing cross-border tensions.  (Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP)
Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Zibqin in southern Lebanon on August 25, 2024, amid escalations in the ongoing cross-border tensions. (Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP)
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UN Officials Say Lebanese-Israeli Border Developments 'Worrying'

Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Zibqin in southern Lebanon on August 25, 2024, amid escalations in the ongoing cross-border tensions.  (Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP)
Smoke billows from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Zibqin in southern Lebanon on August 25, 2024, amid escalations in the ongoing cross-border tensions. (Photo by Kawnat HAJU / AFP)

The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) described the developments on the Lebanese-Israeli border as “worrying," and called on all parties to cease fire and refrain from further escalation, they said in a statement.

“In light of worrying developments across the Blue Line since the early morning, UNSCOL and UNIFIL call on all to cease fire and refrain from further escalatory action,” said the statement.

“A return to the cessation of hostilities, followed by the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution1701, is the only sustainable way forward,” it said.

“We will continue our contacts to strongly urge for de-escalation,” the statement added.

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon early Sunday in what it said was a preemptive strike on Hezbollah, as the group said it had launched hundreds of rockets and drones to avenge the killing of Fouad Shukr, one of its top commanders last month.



Flights Cancelled Amid Hezbollah-Israel Escalation

Passengers wait for their flights at the Beirut International Airport in Beirut on August 25, 2024. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
Passengers wait for their flights at the Beirut International Airport in Beirut on August 25, 2024. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
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Flights Cancelled Amid Hezbollah-Israel Escalation

Passengers wait for their flights at the Beirut International Airport in Beirut on August 25, 2024. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)
Passengers wait for their flights at the Beirut International Airport in Beirut on August 25, 2024. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP)

Several airlines have cancelled flights to Beirut after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel on Sunday and Israel's military said it struck Lebanon with about 100 jets.

Jordan's flag carrier Royal Jordanian suspended flights to Beirut "due to the current situation,” the state news agency reported without giving an exact time frame for the suspension.

Officials told Reuters there was no disruption to Jordanian airspace.

As for Air France, it cancelled its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until Monday at least, the company said.

On Friday, German airline giant Lufthansa said it was extending a suspension of flights to Beirut until September 30.

Lebanon's civil aviation authority emphasised Sunday that "the airport is functioning normally" despite some disruptions.

There is "no truth" to rumours that all flights have been cancelled, said a statement from the authority carried by the official National News Agency.

A number of airlines had already announced flight suspensions or cancellations to Beirut in recent weeks, with some later resuming services.