New tensions in South Lebanon between residents and UNIFIL patrol

Dozens of residents of Yater, in South Lebanon, expressed their discontent on Sunday afternoon against soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), accusing them of operating without being accompanied by the Lebanese Army.

Contacted by L'Orient Today, the U.N. force reported an unexpected stop of one of its vehicles and tensions that were resolved "peacefully," particularly with the help of the troops.

This scene of villagers opposing the passage of UNIFIL vehicles has become recurrent in several regions of the South, from Abbassieh (Sour district) to Tayr Debba (Sour), and through Jmaijme (Bint Jbeil district), highlighting the growing tensions between the international force and the local populations.

In a video sent by our correspondent in the region, residents of Yater recount that a military patrol, consisting of Italian contingent soldiers, "entered a house." Two UNIFIL vehicles can be seen in what looks like a path leading to the entrance of a villa. A second video shows dozens of people rushing with strong invectives towards a property, although it is not immediately clear if the two videos were filmed in the same place. According to available information, a resident blocked the way with his vehicle in front of the UNIFIL convoy.

Contacted by L'Orient Today, UNIFIL stated that one of its vehicles had a technical problem, forcing the soldiers to stop. "They were conducting a routine patrol as part of their mission, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701," clarified the U.N. force. This resolution, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, serves as the framework for the cease-fire agreement between these two belligerents that came into effect on Nov. 27, 2024. The same source added that the property owner was present and understood the situation, noting that the Lebanese Army intervened promptly and the incident was resolved peacefully. UNIFIL also regretted that "images of the scene were filmed and misused."

Two injured in Israeli gunfire in Maroun el-Ras

Israeli army rubber bullets injured two Lebanese in Maroun el-Ras, in the Bint Jbeil district, along the Lebanon-Israel border, the Lebanese Health Ministry said. According to information from our correspondent, the injured are a couple who were in the village inspecting their house destroyed by Israeli shelling. Their injuries are moderate in severity.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli plane dropped a bomb between the localities of Yarine and Dhaira, in the Sour district, while Israeli artillery fire targeted the outskirts of Aita eal-Shaab (Bint Jbeil), without causing casualties, according to information from our correspondent in South Lebanon. 

Despite the cease-fire agreement, the Israeli army continues to carry out airstrikes and almost daily fire on South Lebanon and occupies five points it considers "strategic." At least 154 people have been killed in Lebanon since the start of the truce, according to our count, while a veritable flood of fire rained down Thursday on the Nabatieh region. The Israeli army conducted a series of strikes among the most intense since the cease-fire took effect on November 27, saying it targeted a Hezbollah tunnel, which lost two fighters in these strikes.

Established in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces following their invasion of Lebanon, UNIFIL is primarily present in the south of the country. Tensions often arise between its patrols and local residents, who are predominantly Hezbollah supporters. UN resolution 1701 significantly increased UNIFIL's role and defined the framework of its action. Article 12 mentions that the "Lebanese government (...) authorizes UNIFIL to take all necessary measures in the areas where its forces are deployed."