UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
TT

UNIFIL Affirms Freedom of Movement Amid Tensions in South Lebanon

Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)
Residents inspect the damage to a building following an Israeli strike on the town of Ain Qana in southern Lebanon on Thursday night into Friday (AFP)

The United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reaffirmed its authority to move freely and conduct patrols with or without Lebanese army presence, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The statement came after an incident in the town of Srifa, where local residents intercepted a UNIFIL patrol. A man climbed onto a UN vehicle and raised a Hezbollah flag in protest over the absence of a Lebanese army escort.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, which has been in place since November 2023.

Southern Lebanese villages, particularly those south of the Litani River, appeared nearly deserted during the Eid al-Adha holiday. In contrast to the crowds seen during Eid al-Fitr, most streets were empty, with only a few remaining residents visible.

The destruction caused by Israeli attacks has prevented many from returning to their homes in border villages. Continuous drone surveillance and frequent airstrikes have further discouraged residents from even briefly visiting their damaged properties.

Those who did visit on the first day of Eid described their trips as “urgent and brief,” citing the persistent threat of renewed attacks.

Israeli forces have been accused of several violations in recent days. Local media reported the abduction of a Lebanese shepherd near the town of Shebaa, as well as the injury of a civilian after an Israeli drone dropped two stun grenades in the town of Houla. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported near the towns of Rmeish and Aita al-Shaab.

UNIFIL confirmed the Srifa incident, with spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stating that a group of civilians stopped a scheduled patrol. “The peacekeepers were able to resume their duties after the Lebanese army intervened,” he said.

Tenenti emphasized that Resolution 1701 grants UNIFIL full freedom of movement, adding: “While we coordinate closely with the Lebanese army, freedom of movement is essential to fulfill our mandate.”

Incidents involving local opposition to UNIFIL patrols have become more frequent in recent weeks. With more than 400 patrols conducted daily in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army is unable to accompany all of them due to limited manpower.

UNIFIL continues to view its presence as vital to regional stability, and discussions are underway to extend its mandate beyond August.



Weaponization of Food in Gaza Constitutes War Crime, UN Rights Office Says

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
TT

Weaponization of Food in Gaza Constitutes War Crime, UN Rights Office Says

A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
A tent camp for displaced Palestinians stretches among the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli bombardments in west of Gaza City, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The UN human rights office said on Tuesday that the "weaponization" of food for civilians in Gaza constitutes a war crime, in its strongest remarks yet on a new model of aid distribution run by an Israeli-backed organization.

Over 410 people have been killed by gunshots or shells fired by the Israeli military while trying to reach distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since it began work in late May, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters at a Geneva press briefing.

The death toll has been independently verified by his office, he added.

"Desperate, hungry people in Gaza continue to face the inhumane choice of either starving to death or risk being killed while trying to get food," he said, describing the system as "Israel's militarized humanitarian assistance mechanism".

"The weaponization of food for civilians, in addition to restricting or preventing their access to life-sustaining services, constitutes a war crime and, under certain circumstances, may constitute elements of other crimes under international law."

Asked whether Israel was guilty of that war crime, he said: "The legal qualification needs to be made by a court of law."

Israel rejects war crimes charges in Gaza and blames Hamas fighters for harm to civilians for operating among them, which the fighters deny.