The Israeli army warned the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon that their safety cannot be guaranteed in the border town of al-Taybeh.

Israeli troops have been burning and searching houses in the town in violation of the ceasefire agreement reached with Hezbollah on November 27.

Deputy Director of UNIFIL’s Media Office Candice Ardell told Lebanon’s National News Agency that “the Israeli Defense Forces informed UNIFIL that the safety of peacekeepers cannot be guaranteed in the vicinity of Taybeh and that patrols should avoid this area.”

Ardell stressed that “the safety of peacekeepers is a top priority, and we will not do anything that exposes them to any unnecessary risk.”

The Israeli military also reminded UNIFIL of its obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and guarantee their freedom of movement throughout UNIFIL's area of operations in southern Lebanon.

On Sunday morning, the Israeli army blocked the road between al-Taybeh and Deir Seryan and deployed forces there, reported the NNA.

The agency said on Saturday that the forces were searching the houses in the town and setting them on fire.

Residents of the town of al-Qantara were also forced to flee after the troops made an incursion there and burned homes.

The incursion took place as the forces carried out a sweep of neighborhoods in al-Taybeh, al-Qantara, Adshit al-Qsair and Deir Seryan.

Retired General Hassan Jouni said the warnings to UNIFIL are part of a new Israeli strategy aimed at widening its incursions in southern Lebanon.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Israeli troops managed to enter al-Taybeh after the ceasefire took effect. The troops had failed to do so twice during the war with Hezbollah, so they are effectively taking advantage of the ceasefire to make these incursions, he explained.

Once the forces enter these areas, they search for Hezbollah infrastructure and destroy them in a bid to create a buffer zone, he added.

By addressing UNIFIL, they are saying that their deployment in the South is not preventing the incursions, he remarked.

“This is a threat and a warning because UNIFIL may thwart the Israeli advance. So they may come under threat from Israel,” Jouni said.

Moreover, it appears that the Israeli forces will remain in areas they entered in the south well after the 60-day ceasefire is over, he noted.