The United Nations peacekeepers have temporarily halted patrols and other operations along segments of the ‘Blue Line’ in southern Lebanon following an incident involving the Israeli military. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they would be releasing what they termed a non-toxic chemical substance near the border, prompting the UN to take precautionary measures.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, this incident transpired on Sunday morning, resulting in the suspension of over a dozen UN peacekeeping activities for more than nine hours. Dujarric relayed that the IDF instructed peacekeepers to maintain their distance from the affected area. UN personnel subsequently assisted the Lebanese army in collecting samples for toxicology testing, although the test results had not arrived by Monday afternoon.
The Blue Line, which spans approximately 120 kilometers along Lebanon’s southern frontier, acts as a boundary confirming Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The UN has expressed ongoing concerns regarding flight activities across this line, asserting that such movements breach Security Council resolution 1701, established to conclude the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and to define the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Tensions have been high in the region; the latest cessation of hostilities agreement between Israel and Hezbollah was signed in November 2024, following an escalation of violence across the Blue Line during the recent Gaza conflict. Dujarric emphasized the serious nature of any activities that could jeopardize the safety of peacekeepers and civilians, urging all parties to adhere strictly to their obligations under the resolution.
The UNIFIL mission noted that the incident not only raised alarms about the potential risks posed by the unidentified chemical substance to civilians and agricultural land but also about the longer-term implications for residents’ return to their homes and livelihoods in proximity to the Blue Line. The mission has called upon the IDF to refrain from conducting such operations and to collaborate with peacekeepers to enhance stability in the region.
Additionally, Fiji continues to contribute soldiers to UN peacekeeping efforts in Sinai and Lebanon, maintaining a presence in these ongoing multinational operations. These developments underscore the critical need for cooperation and communication among all parties involved to ensure peace and security in the volatile region.