UN Chief Urges Israel to Exit Lebanon After Ceasefire; Warns of War Crimes After Peacekeeper's Death

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanon after a ceasefire agreement was reached this week. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated that Guterres urges all parties to fully respect the cessation of hostilities and comply with international law. The agreement between Israel and Lebanon is conditioned on Hezbollah halting attacks against Israeli territory and ceasing operations in southern Lebanon. Guterres also appealed to Hezbollah to respect the Lebanese government's decision to extend its authority over its entire territory and promote state control over weapons. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has registered a "worrying" rise in hostilities in southern Lebanon, largely attributed to the Israeli army. Dujarric reported that UNIFIL recorded 69 airspace violations by Israel on Wednesday, along with 569 shells fired from Israeli positions and 14 from Hezbollah. Guterres urged Israel to fully withdraw from north of the Blue Line, the UN-established de facto border that Israeli forces recently crossed. He also requested increased support for Lebanese institutions, including its armed forces. Furthermore, the UN chief condemned the death of a Serbian peacekeeper from the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He warned that attacks against UN peacekeeping personnel are "grave violations of international humanitarian law" and "could constitute war crimes." The peacekeeper died from mortar wounds sustained near Marjayoun, in southern Lebanon, where two Spanish colleagues were also lightly injured.

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