Background and Context
Lebanon has accused Israel of constructing a cement wall along the southern border, which marks the boundary between the two countries. This allegation comes after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported the same on Friday.
The office of Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun, ordered the submission of an urgent complaint to the United Nations Security Council against Israel for building a cement wall across the Blue Line, the internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel.
The complaint will be accompanied by UN reports that contradict Israel’s denial of the wall’s construction, as per a UNIFIL statement.
UNIFIL’s Findings
According to UNIFIL, in October, they discovered a cement wall built by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in southwest Yaryeh. The wall, according to UNIFIL’s investigation, crosses the Blue Line, rendering over 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory inaccessible to its residents.
Israel’s Response
When questioned by AFP, the Israeli military stated that this wall is part of a broader plan initiated in 2022 and does not cross the Blue Line as defined by the UN.
Since the war broke out on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack in southern Israel, the Israeli military has implemented several measures, including reinforcing the physical barrier along the northern border.
UNIFIL’s Mandate and Future
Since March 1978, approximately 10,800 blue helmets have been deployed between Israel and Lebanon. However, UNIFIL’s mandate is set to expire in December 2027, as neither Israel nor the United States agreed to extend it beyond this date.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is involved? Lebanon and Israel are the primary parties in this dispute.
- What is the issue? Lebanon accuses Israel of building a cement wall along their border, which crosses into Lebanese territory.
- What is UNIFIL’s role? UNIFIL reported the wall’s construction and confirmed it crosses the Blue Line, the internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel.
- What is Israel’s stance? The Israeli military claims the wall is part of a broader plan initiated in 2022 and does not cross the Blue Line.
- What is UNIFIL’s mandate status? UNIFIL’s current mandate expires in December 2027, as it was not renewed by Israel and the United States.
