The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has recorded six tunnels in the region of Kfar Kela in southern Lebanon that cross the Blue Line towards Israel.
UNIFIL Commander Major General Stefano Del Col said the tunnels were “breaching the Blue Line.”
In a meeting with journalists on Tuesday in Naqoura, he emphasized that UNIFIL recorded violations on both sides of the Blue Line and raised them in periodic reports to the United Nations.
He added that the continued Israeli occupation of the northern part of the town of Ghajar was a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Del Col called on the importance of tripartite meetings between the UN, Lebanon and Israel “in order to eliminate breaches on the ground.”
He pointed out that some violations that occur sometimes in the eastern sector, especially in the fishing seasons, are quickly resolved, stressing that approved engagement mechanism and tripartite meetings significantly reduce the occurrence of violations and events on the ground.
The UNIFIL commander revealed that the UN had introduced some amendments to Resolution 1701, without compromising its substance.
He explained that in 2017, UNIFIL reinforced its field patrols and the following year, it developed a plan to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Army’s naval forces.
Del Col also emphasized UNIFIL’s role in protecting civilians and taking care of their needs through the civil affairs office, which is in constant contact with the municipalities.
