UN Peacekeeping Force Condemns Israel’s Incursion into Lebanon

The United Nations' peacekeeping force in Lebanon has condemned Israel's ground offensive in southern Lebanon launched earlier today, saying it violates the country's "sovereignty and territorial integrity." The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been monitoring the situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border, said in a statement that it was notified by the Israeli army a day earlier about "their intention to undertake limited ground incursions into Lebanon." "Despite this dangerous development, peacekeepers remain in position," UNIFIL said. "We are regularly adjusting our posture and activities, and we have contingency plans ready to activate if absolutely necessary. "Peacekeeper safety and security is paramount, and all actors are reminded of their obligation to respect it. "Any crossing into Lebanon is in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of resolution 1701. We urge all actors to step back from such escalatory acts, which will only lead to more violence and more bloodshed," the statement said. Source: Oman News Agency