Lebanon files UN complaint over Israeli ceasefire violations

The Lebanese Foreign Affairs Ministry, through the Permanent Mission in New York, charged a formal complaint against Israel regarding continued violations of the cease-fire, which condemned recurrent infringements by Israel in breach of Resolution 1701.

According to the National News Agency, Lebanon has recorded Israeli military operations, including aerial and ground attacks, demolition of houses and residential areas, targeting civilians, journalists, and Lebanese army members. The complaint also underlines abduction of Lebanese nationals and attacks against those who wanted to return to their villages in southern Lebanon after the expiry of the 60-day deadline for withdrawal of Israel.

Under a cease-fire agreement reached in November, Israeli forces were to withdraw over a 60-day period as the Lebanese army deployed alongside U.N. peacekeeping forces in the south. Israel did not meet the withdrawal deadline, and 24 people were killed while at least 124 others were injured as residents attempted to return to their homes. The deadline for withdrawal was extended to February 18.

Lebanon has called on the U.N. Security Council and France and the U.S., which brokered the ceasefire and established a committee to oversee its enforcement, to take a decisive and clear stance to put an end to Israel’s ongoing violations.