Israeli strikes on south Lebanon escalate

Between Friday and Sunday, Israeli forces fired 455 projectiles into south Lebanon and breached Lebanese airspace 97 times, according to UNIFIL. Saturday alone saw 229 projectiles, the highest single-day total since 21 June, alongside an air strike in Al Mansuri on Sunday morning. Most airspace violations came from drones, with helicopters and fighter jets also involved. Two Israeli Merkava tanks fired three rounds eastward, landing about 200 meters from a UN position, and some 30 rounds of small-arms fire were directed toward the same area. This marks a sharp escalation from the previous weekend, when 113 projectiles were recorded. UNIFIL peacekeepers also discovered unguarded weapons, unexploded ordnances, and improvised explosive devices in their area of operations. A combined UNIFIL-Lebanese army patrol found a 107mm rocket launcher loaded with one rocket, and peacekeepers neutralized two UXOs and destroyed two IEDs. These activities violate UN Security Council resolution 1701, which has been the framework for peace in south Lebanon since the 2006 conflict. UNIFIL Deputy Head of Mission Herve Lecoq stated that resolution 1701 remains the foundation for future efforts. UNIFIL also facilitated three humanitarian missions in coordination with OCHA.