A UN Security Council session in 2019. (Credit: Illustrative Image AFP/UN/Manuel Elias)
NEW YORK — Israel's permanent representative to the UN, Gilad Erdan, has lodged a complaint against Lebanon with the Security Council, demanding that the Lebanese government and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) take immediate action to prevent the ongoing construction of military infrastructure by Hezbollah on Israel's northern border.
In a letter dated July 27, addressed to the British president of the Security Council, Barbara Woodward, whose country holds the presidency for the month of July, the Israeli ambassador described Hezbollah's latest provocations on the Israel-Lebanon border, saying they constitute a violation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), and include the infiltration of the border by Lebanese people — including a Lebanese MP — and the establishment of military posts under cover of the "Green without Borders" organization.
In his letter, Israel's representative made it clear that "tensions on the northern border with Lebanon are higher than they have been for years, due to Hezbollah's violent escalations, clear violations of the Security Council resolutions and dangerous military advances. If the Security Council does not condemn Hezbollah's destabilizing activities and demand that Lebanon take action against the illegal military build-up on its territories — or at least work to enable UNIFIL to fully carry out its mandate — the situation on the ground will continue to deteriorate and the consequences will be deep and disastrous."
"In recent months, Hezbollah — with Iranian funding and guidance — has become more arrogant, expanding its activity and presence along the Israeli border. Yet in recent weeks, these provocations have reached unprecedented levels", said the Israeli representative in his letter.
Listing the Shiite party's acts of violence, the diplomat pointed out that "several weeks ago, Hezbollah militiamen entered Israeli territory and established two military posts south of the Blue Line. Although this was a clear violation of Security Council Resolution 1701, the council did not condemn it. Unfortunately, inaction in the face of Hezbollah's violations has become a common trend," he noted.
"Israel will not accept any violation of its sovereignty and security, and will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and territorial integrity," he added. Israel "holds the Lebanese government responsible for all attacks coming from its territory, and demands that Lebanon fulfill its obligations to prevent any hostile activity," the ambassador continued.
"Furthermore, the Lebanese government is also responsible for guaranteeing UNIFIL's freedom of movement and its ability to carry out its mandate. This is particularly crucial in light of the aggressive rhetoric of Hezbollah officials against UNIFIL forces and the ongoing attacks against peacekeepers, including the murder of [Irish] soldier Sean Rooney in December 2022," he continued.
Israel's representative "calls on the Security Council to address Hezbollah's clear and increasingly dangerous violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and to condemn in the strongest terms Iran and Hezbollah for destabilizing the region."
