The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed that the Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon last night constitute a "clear and explicit violation" of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The mission warned that the attacks pose a direct threat to the fragile stability achieved in November 2024 and undermine civilian confidence in the possibility of reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict.

In a press statement, UNIFIL reported that peacekeeping units stationed at two positions in the Deir Kifa area, near Burj Qalawieh, were forced to relocate to safer areas due to the bombardment. The mission said the raids severely endangered the lives of Lebanese soldiers, UNIFIL personnel, and nearby civilians.

UNIFIL called on the Israeli army to immediately cease any further air raids on Lebanon and to commit to a full withdrawal from Lebanese territory. The mission stressed the need for all parties to refrain from violations or actions that could further escalate tensions.

It urged "all parties to fully comply with the provisions of Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities agreement," noting that these mechanisms were designed to address disputes and prevent unilateral violence.

Israeli strikes on villages

On Thursday evening, Israeli warplanes launched multiple raids on southern villages, targeting residential neighborhoods in Mays al-Jabal, Debbine, and Kfar Tebnit in the Nabatieh Governorate. One civilian was reported injured in Mays al-Jabal. Subsequent strikes extended to Burj Qalawieh and Chehabiyeh, where homes were also hit.

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Lebanese officials slam Israeli aggression on South Lebanon

'Israel' carries out vast aggression on South Lebanon

The Israeli occupation carried out strikes in the southern Lebanese town of Meis al-Jabal.#Lebanon #SouthLebanon #LatestNews #AlMayadeen pic.twitter.com/TNFwhKXwHY

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 18, 2025

According to the Lebanese Army, "Israel" has carried out more than 4,500 violations since the 2024 ceasefire agreement, including air, land, and sea breaches. It added that recent attacks, involving incendiary bombings and demolitions, have hampered the army's deployment south of the Litani River. The army further revealed the discovery of a camouflaged Israeli espionage device in the Labouna-Tyre area, which is now being dismantled in coordination with UNIFIL.

Lebanese leadership condemns aggression

President Joseph Aoun denounced the raids as a "flagrant violation" of Resolution 1701, warning that silence from international sponsors of the ceasefire mechanism constitutes "a dangerous omission that encourages aggression." He stressed that the agreement must serve all parties equally, rather than provide cover for Israeli attacks.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam echoed the criticism, questioning, "Where is Israel's commitment to these mechanisms? How can it continue intimidation and aggression when these meetings are supposed to ensure the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and the cessation of hostilities?"

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri went further, declaring that "these are acts of aggression against Lebanon, its sovereignty, its army, and UNIFIL forces and their mandated tasks." He urged a unified Lebanese stance in the face of Israeli violations.

Lawmakers from the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc also condemned the strikes. MP Hassan Fadlallah affirmed that "Israel's renewed aggression against the South will not push our people to submit," while Hussein al-Haj Hassan described the raids as part of the enemy's expansionist project "to impose its policies and redraw borders with fire."

Read more: Lebanese government used no means to liberate occupied land: Fadlallah

The mission warned that continued escalation threatens the progress made in restoring stability. UNIFIL added that its peacekeepers continue to support both sides to ensure implementation of Resolution 1701, while working alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces in daily field operations to strengthen security in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line.