UNIFIL Reports Escalating Israeli Military Activity in Southern Lebanon as Civilians Bear the Brunt

Civilians in southern Lebanon are bearing the brunt of a significant increase in Israeli military activity over the past fortnight or so, according to United Nations peacekeepers. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stated that it recorded an average of 137 projectiles fired per day between August 5-16, with 208 projectiles on Saturday and 185 on Sunday as tensions continue to rise.

This escalation comes despite the renewal of the June 26 ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Brokered by the United States, the deal is tied to the disarmament of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, but it did not specifically call for the withdrawal of Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has rejected the deal, demanding an Israeli withdrawal first.

“As tensions rise, civilians are once again paying the highest price, with many families displaced or forced to change their daily routines because of insecurity and uncertainty,” UNIFIL stated. The peacekeeping force continues its patrols, monitoring, obstacle removal, and facilitation of humanitarian aid, emphasizing that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 remains essential for restoring stability.

Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun, voiced support for extending UNIFIL’s mandate, which is due to expire at the end of this year. Ziad Abu Rish, an associate professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Bard College, noted that the ongoing strikes reflect an Israeli strategy to demonstrate resolve and collectively punish the Lebanese population.

Negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli governments continue following a seventh round of talks held earlier this month. Meanwhile, the death toll since March 2 from repeated Israeli assaults on southern Lebanon rose to 4,346 after 11 people were killed in recent air raids.