On November 8, 2024, the European Union condemned Israel's attacks against United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon to protect civilians.
Israeli military actions continue to destroy homes and infrastructure in Lebanon, displacing residents. Conflicting reports suggest a potential ceasefire agreement that could save lives in the region.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement with Israel, stating that he did not believe a deal was possible until after the U.S. presidential elections.
Reports indicate a possible agreement between Lebanon and Israel that would establish a 60-day ceasefire. According to Israeli public broadcasting, the draft agreement includes an initial 60-day truce.
UNIFIL has been deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, tasked with monitoring the Blue Line, which marks the border between Lebanon and Israel as delineated by the United Nations.
On November 8, UNIFIL accused the Israeli army of directly targeting one of its sites in southern Lebanon, describing the incident as a deliberate act. The Israeli army reportedly destroyed part of a fence and concrete structure at a UNIFIL location.
UNIFIL noted that this incident is one of several similar actions by the Israeli army, asserting that these acts were not related to crossfire but were intentional. The Israeli army has denied conducting any activities within UNIFIL's site.
In a related matter, UNIFIL reported the removal of blue barrels representing the UN-delineated withdrawal line between Lebanon and Israel, observed directly by peacekeeping forces. Last month, UNIFIL recorded over 30 incidents that resulted in property damage or injuries to peacekeepers, with around 20 attributed to Israeli actions.
Despite pressures on the mission, UNIFIL affirmed its commitment to continue monitoring and reporting as mandated under Resolution 1701.