Image Credit ŠIRIN 2006-08-19.
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) 2006-08-21
UNIFIL via BBSNews 2006-08-21 -- Naqoura, Lebanon. The process of Lebanese Army deployment inside the territory vacated by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) continues, in accordance with Resolution 1701. It is conducted in close coordination and with the support of UNIFIL.
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Lebanon. Israeli cluster bombs, like these ones lying outside Nabatiyeh, continue to kill civilians.
Image Credit ŠIRIN 2006-08-19. |
The Israeli Army withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army continue in accordance with the plan and timeline agreed during a third trilateral meeting of the Force Commander UNIFIL and the senior representatives of the Lebanese and Israeli Army, which took place yesterday in Ras Naqoura.
Yesterday, IDF withdrew from general areas of east-south and east-west of Bayt Yahoun and south along the road to Kunin. UNIFIL move into vacated areas early in the afternoon. Today, Lebanese Army shall take control over those areas.
The cessation of hostilities was maintained in the past 24 hours. There was however, four air violations by Israeli jets and drones recorded yesterday.
UNIFIL continued intensive ground and air patrolling throughout its area of operation to assess the situation on the ground and to monitor the cessation of hostilities.
UNIFIL distributed drinking water and to villages of El Khiam, Houle, Ebel Es Saqi and Wadi Khansa. In total 35,000 liters of water was distributed.
UNIFIL: 2006-08-19
The process of Lebanese Army deployment inside the territory vacated by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) continues, in accordance with Resolution 1701. It is conducted in close coordination and with the support of UNIFIL.
The Lebanese Armed Forces completed yesterday the process of deployment inside the territory vacated earlier by the IDF in the general areas of Cheeba, Hasbaiya, Kafer Chouba, Kafer Hamman, Rachaya, Hebbariye and Al Fradis.
The Israeli Army withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army shall continue in the coming days in accordance with the plan and timeline agreed during a trilateral meeting of the Force Commander UNIFIL and the senior representatives of the Lebanese and Israeli Army.
The cessation of hostilities was generally maintained in the past 24 hours. There were however reports of clashes in western Baalbeck area. Since in that area there is no presence of UNIFIL forces, UNIFIL cannot provide its own account of the incident.
UNIFIL observed yesterday three Israeli aircrafts violating Lebanese airspace in the central sector.
UNIFIL continued intensive ground and air patrolling throughout its area of operation to assess the situation on the ground and to monitor the cessation of hostilities.
UNIFIL de-mining team from the Chinese contingent carried out demolition of eighty cluster bombs and one artillery shell and cleared the road in the area of Al Hinniyah from unexploded ordnance. Mine Action Coordination Center (MACC) in areas of Yohmor, Shoukeen and Zawtar also conducted demining activities. Lebanese Army carried out demolition of anti-personal mines at Marun Al Ras area.
UNIFIL distributed water and food to villages of Srifa, Bint Jubayl and Ramayah. UNIFIL was re-inforced today by the first elements of a French Engineering Company. Soldiers and engineering equipment arrived to UNIFIL through Naqoura port.
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 Organizations 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. Currently UNIFIL is operating under a new resolution pertaining to this latest Israel-Lebanon war, UN resolution 1701 (2006) calling for a cease-fire.
These dispatches from UNIFIL offer an impartial glimpse into what is happening on the ground in Lebanon.
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