UN condemns Israeli demolitions in south Lebanon despite ceasefire

The United Nations on Saturday condemned the scale of Israeli military demolitions across southern Lebanon, warning that the ongoing destruction is devastating civilian infrastructure and cultural heritage despite a ceasefire framework between Israel and Hezbollah.

Detonations Near UNESCO World Heritage Site

"The scale of the detonations and demolitions taking place in south Lebanon is deeply concerning, with a devastating impact on civilian infrastructure, cultural heritage, and the collective memory of communities," the office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon said in a statement. The UN added that "this escalating pattern of destruction must stop as diplomatic channels exist to resolve any outstanding issues."anews+2

The statement came a day after Israeli forces carried out massive overnight detonations near Beaufort Castle, a Crusader-era fortress recently added to UNESCO's List of World Heritage in Danger. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army destroyed "terror tunnels in the Beaufort area" using approximately 700 tonnes of explosives, claiming the operation followed a "blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement" by Hezbollah on Wednesday.malaymail+2

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun labelled the detonation "an extremely dangerous escalation" and "a direct threat to the process which was launched as part of the framework agreement" reached with Israel during US-sponsored talks. Aoun warned that the timing of the blasts ahead of another round of talks with Israel in Rome next week "sends negative messages and undermines international efforts aimed at consolidating stability."anews

International Pressure Mounts

The UN rebuke follows a statement earlier in the week by UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk, who said Israel must end its occupation of large areas of southern Lebanon and halt the demolition of homes, according to the Associated Press. Türk described the situation as "wholesale destruction" of civilian homes and said some Israeli actions could amount to war crimes.pbs

Under the Israel-Lebanon framework deal reached in June, Lebanon's army is to disarm Hezbollah while Israeli forces withdraw from designated "pilot zones" where Lebanese troops will subsequently deploy. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported several additional detonations in southern areas since the Beaufort blasts, as well as at least one Israeli strike on Saturday that wounded two people.aljazeera+1

Lebanese Army Receives UN Backing

Separately, Jean Arnault, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Special Coordinator's office, congratulated the Lebanese Armed Forces on the occasion of the country's 81st Army Day, saying the institution has "earned the pride of the nation and the trust of the international community." Arnault stressed the high expectations placed on the Lebanese army to advance security and drive forward the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 — the resolution underpinning the ceasefire framework that Israel's continued demolitions now threaten to unravel.naharnet