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UNIFIL warns against renewed escalation following latest strikes in south Lebanon
Lebanon: UN warns of growing civilian risks as military activity continues
Damaged roads, disrupted services and ongoing military activity continue to put civilians at risk in south Lebanon as strikes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah continue, according to the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the country (UNIFIL).
Following reports of Hezbollah drone attacks and retaliatory Israeli strikes on Wednesday and Thursday, UNIFIL is urging restraint and renewed political engagement to avoid a further escalation of hostilities.
UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel told UN News that while the latest strikes occurred outside UNIFIL’s area of operations, the impact of the conflict continues to be felt across southern Lebanon and along the “Blue Line”.
UNIFIL is urging all parties to comply with Security Council resolution 1701 – the 2006 agreement intended to cease hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah – and use existing mechanisms to de-escalate tensions.
“It’s in no one’s interest to continue on a military path,” Ms. Ardiel said. “The only solution to this is political and diplomatic.”
Although violence has decreased compared to previous months, UNIFIL has observed a rise in military activity inside its area of operations, including logistical movements, demolitions and projectile launches.
The mission continues to monitor developments closely and report violations, warning that renewed military activity risks undermining the fragile stability achieved in recent months.
Extensive damage harms civilians
UNIFIL remains concerned about the scale of destruction across parts of south Lebanon. According to the mission, several villages and neighbourhoods have suffered severe damage, affecting homes, roads and civilian infrastructure.
The destruction has also restricted the movement of residents, many of whom face difficulties travelling between villages and accessing essential services. Humanitarian organizations and peacekeepers have faced similar logistical challenges while carrying out their work.
To help reduce risks on the ground, UNIFIL continues to coordinate with both the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli Defense Forces, facilitating movement and helping prevent incidents through deconfliction mechanisms.
Peacekeepers regularly accompany certain movements to support safety and ensure humanitarian access where possible.
While peacekeepers continue to carry out their mandate, they have faced occasional delays at Israeli military checkpoints along the coastal road linking UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura with Beirut.
“Peacekeepers have freedom of movement, and any interruption of that is a concern for us,” Ms. Ardiel said.
Political solution remains essential
With UNIFIL’s mandate set to expire at the end of this year, the UN remains concerned about the potential impact of a security vacuum left behind by its departure.
In a letter published in June, UN Secretary-General António Guterres outlined options for implementing Resolution 1701 without UNIFIL’s presence, all of which involve a continued UN presence – albeit a smaller one – on the ground to monitor the Blue Line, plus a strengthened UN political office (UNSCOL) to promote peace and coordinate UN efforts.
UNIFIL continues to stress that a lasting solution cannot be achieved through military means alone. The mission is urging both parties to return to dialogue and implement measures that can restore security and stability for communities on both sides of the Blue Line.
STORY: UNIFIL warns against renewed escalation following latest strikes in south Lebanon
TRT: 02:53’’
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: For B-roll please credit UNIFIL
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 27 AUGUST 2026 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Exterior wide shot: Palais des Nations, Flag Alley.
2. SOUNDBITE (English) – Kandice Ardiel, spokesperson UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), from Beirut, Lebanon: “Peacekeepers have seen a great deal of destruction across south Lebanon. There are entire villages that have seen significant destruction. Some neighbourhoods have been entirely wiped out, and this has happened due to airstrikes, this has happened through projectiles, and this has happened through demolitions that have been organized by Israeli soldiers operating in south Lebanon. We're concerned because the nature of this destruction in destroying entire neighbourhoods, it does appear to be systematic.”
3. Medium shot of a UNIFIL soldier patrolling in UNIFIL area of operations in the south of Lebanon surrounded with destruction. October, 2024. Please credit UNIFIL.
4. SOUNDBITE (English) – Kandice Ardiel, spokesperson UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), from Beirut, Lebanon: “In south Lebanon, many roads have been destroyed, many roads have been blocked, and now we have the presence of Israeli soldiers in many areas of the south.”
5. Wide shot of the destruction in south Lebanon in the UNIFIL area of operations. October, 2024. Please credit UNIFIL.
6. SOUNDBITE (English) – Kandice Ardiel, spokesperson UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), from Beirut, Lebanon: “There are civilians who have been dislocated from their homes and from their communities who have a right to return and who want to return, and the key to long-term stability in south Lebanon and all along the Blue Line is to have strong communities and have people be able to return. So we're concerned that the disruption of these homes, neighbourhoods, utilities and other infrastructure, this is going to prevent that.”
7. Various shots of UNIFIL peacekeepers (Italian) patrolling in UNIFIL area of operations in the south of Lebanon. March 23rd, 2025. Please credit UNIFIL.
8. SOUNDBITE (English) – Kandice Ardiel, spokesperson UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), from Beirut, Lebanon: “We're observing a great deal of military activity still, with IDF present throughout south Lebanon, a lot of aerial activity in terms of overflights by fighter jets, airstrikes, trajectories, and a lot of unauthorized drone activity flying over south Lebanon as well. Peacekeepers are continuing to monitor and report everything that we see, and we're continuing to increase our activities, again, to try to support the parties, Lebanon and Israel, in restoring security and stability.”
9. Various shots of UNIFIL peacekeepers next to the Blue Line. December, 2025. Yaroun, south Lebanon. Please credit UNIFIL.
10. SOUNDBITE (English) – Kandice Ardiel, spokesperson UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), from Beirut, Lebanon: “This conflict has a large geographical area, and these consequences can be felt within UNIFIL's area of operations, and of course, within Lebanon as a whole, all along the Blue Line, including in northern Israel. We continue to urge all actors to de-escalate, to refrain from violations of Resolution 1701, and to use the channels available to them to de-escalate. It's in no one's interest to continue on a military path. The only solution to this is political and diplomatic, and this is for the benefit of everyone living and working on both sides of the Blue Line.”
11. Various shots of UNIFIL peacekeepers next to the Blue Line. December, 2025. Yaroun, south Lebanon. Please credit UNIFIL.
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