UNIFIL says Israeli-built walls crossed Blue Line, asks for removal

Summary

UN peacekeepers found concrete walls erected by Israeli forces that crossed the Blue Line near Yaroun, making over 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory inaccessible; UNIFIL has requested the walls be removed and said the construction violates Security Council resolution 1701 and Lebanon's territorial integrity.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has reported that concrete walls erected by the Israeli Defence Forces southwest of Yaroun crossed the Blue Line and made more than 4,000 square meters of Lebanese territory inaccessible to the local population, the UN spokesperson said.

"UNIFIL informed the IDF of its findings and requested that the walls be removed," Stefan Dujarric told reporters, adding that peacekeepers also noted additional wall construction southeast of Yaroun that crossed the Blue Line. He said the presence and construction on Lebanese territory is a violation of Security Council resolution 1701 and of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

UNIFIL's survey findings were presented as a request for removal and for the preservation of civilian access; the spokesperson emphasized the UN expectation that parties respect established lines and UN resolutions.