UN Urges Restraint as Violence Surges in Southern Lebanon
UN calls for ceasefire compliance after weekend airstrikes in southern Lebanon cause civilian casualties and displacement.
The United Nations has appealed to all parties involved in the conflict in southern Lebanon to exercise maximum restraint and honour the existing ceasefire agreement. The call comes amid a significant escalation of violence that has taken a heavy toll on civilians.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that recent hostilities have resulted in civilian casualties on the Lebanese side. The renewed fighting has also forced families who had only recently returned to their homes to flee once again, deepening the humanitarian strain in the region.
According to the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Israeli military carried out multiple airstrikes over the weekend. Dujarric stressed that all parties must adhere to the ceasefire arrangements and work towards de-escalation through dialogue rather than military action.
Separately, the spokesperson addressed the expiration of the 60-day deadline for a negotiated final deal under the June 17 Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding. He reiterated that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging both nations to resume negotiations promptly.
"His message is the same, which he's been delivering since the start, which is there is no military solution to this conflict," Dujarric said. He called on Iran and the United States to return to the negotiating table to pursue a peaceful and durable settlement, while also urging both sides to lower the confrontational rhetoric heard in recent days.