UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col warned on Monday that the Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty could escalate tensions and potentially trigger incidents endangering the cessation of hostilities between both sides.
"UNIFIL has observed an increase in activities of Israeli fighter aircraft flying in the Lebanese skies," State news agency NNA cited Del Col as saying, noting that Israeli overflights into Lebanese airspace were violations of UN Security Council resolutions as well as of Lebanon's sovereignty.
"Such violations of Lebanese sovereignty and of resolution 1701 escalate tensions and could potentially trigger incidents endangering the cessation of hostilities between Lebanon and Israel," he added.
Del Col also stressed that they also come in contravention of UN objectives and efforts to reduce tensions and establish a stable security environment in southern Lebanon.
"Once again, I reiterate the call to Israel to cease all overflights of Lebanese territory immediately."
