The UN continues to call on Israel to promptly withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon
This includes reported movements further north in the Eastern Region, while a redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces got underway this week in Shama, in the Western Region .
Both Israel and Lebanon renewed their commitment to fully implement the measures Security Council Resolution 1701UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq speak during his daily press conference from New York on Friday.
Resolve outstanding problems
Passed after the 2006 war in Lebanon between Israeli and Hezbollah militants, the resolution continues to be concerned with ending the conflict between the parties.
Hostilities flared up again in October 2023 after the start of the war in Gaza and lasted for more than a year.
The Israeli and Lebanese governments signed a ceasefire agreement on November 27, 2024. The agreement calls for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon and for Hezbollah to end its armed presence there within 60 days.
“To resolve the remaining issues, we call on both sides to use the new Mechanism established as agreed in the agreement,” Mr. Haq said.
UN support is ready
UNIT also continued to urge the IDF to promptly withdraw troops and deploy the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, and to fully implement measures resolution 1701 It is a comprehensive path towards peace, he added.
The delegation stands ready to play its role in supporting both countries to meet their obligations and monitor progress.
This includes ensuring the area south of the Litani River is free of any armed personnel, assets or weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL – as well as respecting the Blue Line.
Peacekeepers will continue their authorized tasks, including monitoring and reporting to Security Council on all violations of resolution 1701.
Aid for returnees
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations continue to provide vital support to those who remain displaced or have returned to their communities following the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon.
United Nations migration agency IOM It is estimated that nearly 124,000 people remain displaced, while more than 4,000 people remain in 42 shelters.
Updating developments across the border with Syria, Mr. Haq said the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR reported that about 90,000 people, including 20,000 Lebanese citizens, had arrived at Hermel in northeastern Lebanon.
About 39,000 people are living in 175 group places and are in need of urgent assistance.
Preposition to store food
For its part, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) reports that last year it reached 750,000 people displaced by war in Lebanon, providing hot meals, food and cash assistance in shelters and communities across the country.
“WFP is now locating food supplies as close to hard-to-reach areas as possible. For example, a warehouse has been leased in Bekaa to ensure accessibility during snowy winters,” Mr. Haq said.
He added that WFP has also facilitated 17 inter-agency convoys to deliver vital humanitarian aid to families affected by the conflict since September 23.
