Civilians pay the price as Israeli military activity rises in Lebanon: UNIFIL

What the report says

UN peacekeepers say civilians in southern Lebanon are being hit hardest as Israeli military activity increased over roughly the past two weeks, with UNIFIL recording an average of 137 projectiles fired each day between Aug. 5 and Aug. 16, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The force said the daily total reached 208 projectiles on Saturday and 185 on Sunday, underscoring a sharp rise in cross-border tensions.

Al Jazeera reported that the escalation is unfolding despite the renewal of a June 26 ceasefire framework between Lebanon and Israel, which was brokered by the United States and is linked to the disarmament of Hezbollah. The deal did not explicitly require Israeli forces to leave areas they occupy in southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah has said it will not accept the arrangement until Israel withdraws.

UNIFIL said families are being displaced or forced to alter daily routines because of insecurity, while peacekeepers continue patrols, road clearance, monitoring and support for humanitarian access. The force also pointed to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 as the basic template for restoring stability in the south.

The issue matters because UNIFIL’s mandate is due to expire at the end of the year, and Lebanon’s government wants the mission to remain. Al Jazeera also noted that Lebanon’s president has backed extending the mandate, as negotiations continue between Lebanese and Israeli officials and the death toll from Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon has risen further since early March.