It might be wishful thinking to hope that the break in fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could also stop the conflict on Israel’s border with Lebanon.
UNIFIL is a group from the United Nations that has been watching and helping to keep peace in the area called the “Blue Line” since the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, a strong group in southern Lebanon.
At the UNIFIL base in Lebanon, spokesperson Andrea Tenenti says he wants peace to come back, even for a short time. But he knows there’s no official way or direct talks between the fighting groups to make it happen.
Since fights started here on 8 October, Tenenti says there has been a steady increase in rocket and missile attacks from both sides.
However, he also said that there have already been attacks that go further into Lebanon and Israel, and he recognizes that these “mistakes” could cause a bigger war.
The 2006 agreement said Hezbollah had to eventually give up its weapons. Many people, especially in Israel, believe that not being able to accomplish this has made tensions along the border worse and could lead to another big war.
Tenenti says that everyone needs to do something about the resolution and make the regular Lebanese army stronger. He knows that many people in Lebanon support Hezbollah, not just in the south but in other parts of the country too.
A return to how things were before the events in early October is the best outcome that the UN and the people in the villages on both sides of the border can expect.
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UN expects combat pauses could extend to border between Israel and Lebanon
