United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced on Thursday its deep concerns over the escalating confrontations on both sides of the Blue Line.

In an interview with Al-Arabiya television, Deputy Director of the UNIFIL press office, Candice Ardell, warned against “a miscalculation that could lead to a sudden and broader conflict.” 

Ardell urged both conflicting parties (Hezbollah and Israel) to “stop the escalation and reaffirm their commitment to UNSC Resolution 1701 for more peace and stability.”

She revealed that the peacekeeping forces had begun “direct talks with both parties to the conflict, namely Hezbollah and the Israeli army, to urge them to call a ceasefire and reach a political and diplomatic solution.”

According to Ardell, a diplomatic solution is still possible, even though “UNSC Resolution 1701, which helped maintain relative stability for 17 years, is now facing many challenges.” This argument is supported by the position of the main parties, who “insist on the importance of 1701 and its level of effectiveness for a long-term settlement of the conflict.”

She said UNIFIL will continue to carry out its mission to achieve the full implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, conducting patrols in collaboration with the Lebanese army.

“Around 20% of our operations are carried out in cooperation with the army," the UNIFIL representative pointed out.

She noted that “any solution involving violence will only lead to more casualties and destruction on both sides of the Blue Line,” adding that “since October 8, UNIFIL posts and vehicles have been regularly exposed to incidents and firing from both sides, resulting in the death and injury of peacekeepers.”

The UNIFIL representative also denounced these “unacceptable maneuvers which constitute a violation of UNSC Resolution 1701,” calling for “the perpetrators to be brought to justice.”