UNIFIL Says Five Peacekeepers Died. It Wants a Permanent Ceasefire.
Introduction
The United Nations group UNIFIL says five peacekeepers died in recent weeks. It wants the fighting to stop forever. It also says the Blue Line is the only border. The Blue Line is the UN line between Israel and Lebanon. There is a short ceasefire now, but it is not long.
Main Body
Tilak Pokharel is a UNIFIL spokesperson. He says the ceasefire is good but short. It is only for ten days. The UN wants a permanent ceasefire. It also wants everyone to respect the Blue Line. Pokharel says Israeli soldiers do things in south Lebanon that break the rules. These actions break Lebanese sovereignty and UN Resolution 1701. He says there is no 'yellow line'. Some people talk about a line south of the Litani River. UNIFIL does not accept this line. Five peacekeepers died. Three were from Indonesia. Two were from France. They died in different incidents. One attack was from a projectile near Adchit al-Qusayr. One was an explosion near Bani Hayyan. One was gunfire in Ghanduriyah. Early reports say one attack came from an Israeli tank. Another attack came from non-state actors. UNIFIL cannot move easily because of fighting. There is gunfire, shelling, and bombs. Patrols stop or turn back. Israeli soldiers took a Spanish peacekeeper. There are also dangers from mines and old bombs. Jean-Pierre Lacroix is the UN Peacekeeping Chief. He says the situation is very dangerous. Israeli soldiers in Lebanon break Resolution 1701. He says a lasting solution must come from politics, not fighting. Lebanese leaders must work with international help. He also says UNIFIL has money problems. It must cut its work by about 25%. If no more money comes, it cannot do all its jobs. It cannot protect people or answer to problems.
Conclusion
UNIFIL works with many problems. It cannot move freely. It has money problems. It is not safe. It still watches for problems. It helps people get food and medicine. It asks everyone to find a political solution that lasts forever.