Image Credit: UNFICYP Photo.
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 2006-07-31
UNIFIL via BBSNews 2006-07-31 -- Naqoura, Lebanon. According to UNIFIL reports, there were no incidents of rocket firing or aerial bombardment in the UNIFIL area of operations since 4am this morning, except in the area of At Tayyabah in the eastern sector, where two air strikes were reported around 10am. It seems that IDF forces maintain their presence in two locations inside Lebanese territory, in the general area of Marun Al Ras in the central sector, and the general area of Kafr Kila in the eastern sector. It was reported that some of the IDF forces withdrew from the area of Marun Al Ras yesterday evening. The situation in these areas is relatively quiet this morning, and there are no reports of serious fighting. Heavy shelling from the Israeli side is reported this morning in the general area of Ayta Ash Shab and Ramyah.
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The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) peacekeepers help Tyre evacuees on board M.V. Serenade’s tenders for shore-to-ship transfer, Tyre, Southern Lebanon, 20 July 2006. Image Credit: UNFICYP Photo.
Image Credit: UNFICYP Photo. |
Exchanges of fire with somewhat reduced intensity continued yesterday along the length of the Blue Line. Hezbollah fired rockets and mortars from various locations. The IDF carried out shelling and aerial bombardment of the south. Intensive fighting on the ground was reported yesterday in the general area of Kafr Kila, Deir Mimess, Adaisseh, and Al Tayyabah.
Two tank rounds from the Israeli side impacted directly on a UNIFIL position in the general area of Hula yesterday afternoon, causing extensive material damage, including the ammunition shelter, but no casualties. One aerial bomb impacted in the vicinity of a UN position in the area of Alma Ash Shab yesterday morning, causing damage to the parameter wall. It was reported that Hezbollah fired rockets from the vicinity of this UNIFIL position prior to the aerial bombardment. Hezbollah also fired small arms fire from the vicinity of the same position. They also fired rockets from the vicinity of two UNIFIL positions in the area of Tibnin and At Tiri in the central sector. There was one more incident of firing from the Israeli side close to UNIFIL position in the area of Mays al Jabal, when 10 tank rounds impacted 100 meters from the UN position. UNIFIL strongly protested all these incidents to the Israeli and Lebanese authorities respectively.
All UNIFIL positions remain permanently occupied and maintained by the troops. UNIFIL dispatched a number of logistic convoys yesterday to resupply the positions with water, food, and fuel. Additional re-supply convoys are planned for today. UNIFIL will attempt today to bring heavy engineering equipment to remove the debris in order to continue the search operation for the body of the fourth OGL military observer in Khiyam.
UNIFIL continued to provide medical assistance to the local population in different areas and evacuated one pregnant woman to the hospital in Tibnin.
It also continued efforts to extricate and provide escorts for a number of foreign nationals from Rmeich and the neighboring villages to Naqoura for evacuation from the country. Twelve Australian nationals from Ramyah were sheltered inside UN position in Marwahin yesterday. UNIFIL also supplied water to the civilian population in Ibil As Saqi.
A French ship, which arrived to the waters of Naqoura yesterday, continued to offload essential supplies for UNIFIL humanitarian efforts and the troops.
The ship is also to evacuate a number of dependants of UN staff and foreign nationals from the border area.
Naqoura July 30th, 2006
Heavy exchanges of fire continued unabated along the length of the Blue Line in the past 24 hours. Hezbollah continued to fire rockets and mortars from various locations, and the IDF continued the shelling and aerial bombardment.
During the night, IDF troops entered Lebanese territory in the area of Kafr Kila in the eastern sector, and are currently present in the general area of Kafr Kila, Al Tayyabah and Deir Mimess. Intensive fighting on the ground was reported in the area of Al Tayyabah this morning. The area was under heavy Israeli bombardment and shelling yesterday.
The IDF also maintained their presence inside Lebanese territory in the general area of Marun Al Ras/Bint Jubayl in the central sector. It was reported that they had withdrawn some of their forces from this area to the Israeli side during the night. Sporadic fighting in these areas, as well as the shelling and bombardment of the areas north of Bint Jubayl (Aynata, Aytarun, At Tiri, Brashit and Ayn Ibil) was reported yesterday.
Five aerial rockets from the Israeli side impacted in the immediate vicinity (5 to 20 meters) of a UNIFIL position in the area of Addaisseh, yesterday afternoon. One aerial rocket exploded in the air above the position and two UNIFIL soldiers from the Indian battalion were moderately wounded and evacuated to the UNIFIL hospital in Ibil As Saqy. In another incident, one artillery round from the Israeli side impacted directly inside the UNIFIL position in Mays Al Jabal yesterday night, causing extensive material damage and the collapse of the ammunition shelter, but no casualties. Early morning, two IDF soldiers removed and dragged away the protective concertina wire around the UNIFIL position in the Marun Al Ras area. It was reported that Hezbollah fired rockets from the vicinity of three UN positions in the area of Tibnin, At Tiri and Brashit. They also fired small arms fire from the vicinity of two UN positions in the area of Alma Ash Shab and Al Duhayyra. UNIFIL strongly protested all these incidents to the Israeli and Lebanese authorities respectively.
(Since the outbreak of hostilities, four military observers from OGL, one UNIFIL international staff member and his wife were killed, and four Ghanaian soldiers, three Indian soldiers, and one OGL military observer were wounded as a result of firing.)
All UNIFIL positions remain permanently occupied and maintained by the troops. UNIFIL dispatched five logistic convoys to re-supply UN positions with water and fuel. After a number of attempts, UNIFIL also succeeded to resupply the position in the Marun Al Ras area. The search operation for the body of the fourth OGL military observer in Khiyam remained suspended as UNIFIL is still unable to reach the position and bring heavy engineering equipment to remove the debris due to the exchanges of fire in the area.
This morning, UNIFIL medical teams from Tibnin and Naqoura were urgently dispatched to the village of Qana to provide medical and humanitarian assistance to the local population and the victims of the aerial bombardment.
The UNIFIL engineering team from China is also dispatched to Qana to assist in the search and rescue operation and to clear the debris.
UNIFIL provided an escort to a contingent of Lebanese Joint Security Forces out of their headquarters in Marjayoun. However, the convoy was unable to proceed to Tibnin due to a broken bridge and the heavy firing along the road, and has returned to Marjayoun. UNIFIL provided a humanitarian escort and transportation to a group of 38 Lebanese civilians from Naqoura to Tyre.
They were still reports of convoys of civilian cars moving from areas between Yarin and Alma Ash Shab. Today, UNIFIL will attempt to extricate and provide escort for a number of foreign nationals from Rmaich and the neighboring villages to Naqoura for evacuation from the country.
A French ship, arrived to the waters of Naqoura this morning, with essential supplies for UNIFIL humanitarian efforts and re-supply. The ship is also to evacuate a number of foreign nationals from the border areas.
Naqoura July 29th, 2006
Heavy exchanges of fire continued along the length of the Blue Line in the past 24 hours. Hezbollah continued to fire rockets and mortars from various locations, and the IDF continued the shelling and aerial bombardment.
Ground fighting and heavy shelling in the area between Bint Jubayl and Ayn Ibil (southwest of Bint Jubayl), as well as in the area of Aytarun (east of Bint Jubayl) were reported this morning. The IDF maintained their presence inside Lebanese territory in these areas. It was reported that the IDF brought in limited reinforcements yesterday evening, and withdrew some of their forces and vehicles this morning.
There were two incidents of firing close to UNIFIL positions from the Israeli side in the area of Marwahin and Deir Mimess in the past 24 hours. At the same time, it was reported that Hezbollah fired from the vicinity of six UN positions at Tibnin (2), At Tiri, Beit Yahoun, and Alma Ash Shab (2). UNIFIL strongly protested all these incidents to the Israeli and Lebanese authorities respectively.
All UNIFIL positions remain permanently occupied and maintained by the troops. UNIFIL dispatched four logistic convoys to re-supply forward positions, especially in the eastern sector, yesterday. A re-supply convoy to a forward UN position in the Marun Al Ras area, in urgent need of critical basic supplies, was unable to proceed due to heavy fighting on the ground yesterday and this morning. Another attempt to re-supply this position will be made soonest. Additional convoys are planned for today. The search operation for the body of the fourth OGL military observer in Khiyam remains suspended, because UNIFIL is not able to reach the position and bring heavy engineering equipment to remove the debris. The UNIFIL engineering team from China completed search operation in the Hosh area of Tyre, and recovered the remains of one adult and one child from the debris.
UNIFIL provided a humanitarian escort and transportation to a group of 421 Lebanese civilians from a UN position in the area of Al Duhayra to Tyre. Six civilians were also transported from UNIFIL HQ in Naqoura to Tyre. There were also reports of convoys of civilian cars moving from areas between Rmeich and Naqoura in the direction of Tyre.
UNIFIL medical teams provided assistance and treatment to three civilians, including one child, who were injured during the shelling at the Ain Arab village. One wounded woman was evacuated from the village of Ain Arab to the hospital in Marjayoun. Another two injured civilians received medical treatment at the UNIFIL hospital in Naqoura and were subsequently evacuated to Tyre. The Indian battalion provided assistance and escort to the Electricity Department in Marjayoun to repair and restore the power supply, and to the local authorities in Ibil as Saqi and El Meri to restore power and water supply to the villages in this area.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was created in 1978 as an interim force to observe the Israeli withdrawal in Lebanon. On March 11th, 1978 Palestiniain Liberation Organization (PLO) militants claimed responsibility for an attack that killed and wounded many Israelis. As a result, Israel invaded southern Lebanon proceeding to occupy much of the south of the country.According to a UNIFIL document and showing that the UN Security Council acted with dispatch in the matter during 1978: "On 19 March, the Council adopted resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978), in which it called upon Israel immediately to cease its military action and withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory. It also decided on the immediate establishment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The first UNIFIL troops arrived in the area on 23 March 1978."
Israel largely withdrew from Lebanon in 2000 but repeated violations by both sides documented by UNIFIL, especially during 2005 and early 2006 led to increased tensions. This coupled with the Israeli incursion into Gaza devolved into a fierce confrontation between militants and Israeli forces in July 2006.
These dispatches from UNIFIL offer an impartial glimpse into what is happening on the ground in Lebanon.
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