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<p style="text-align:start">For the past nine months, the south of Lebanon has seen continuous exchanges of fire across the Blue Line, with the current level of exchanges now higher than they were in the beginning. Destruction, death, injury, and large-scale population relocation are the reality on the ground. Since October, in addition to performing its mandated tasks, UNIFIL and its national contingents have put an extra effort to assist the local communities in south Lebanon with medical, dental, veterinary, and educational support, as well as other kinds of assistance, to alleviate the hardships of the people who remained in their villages during these exceptionally challenging times.</p>

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<p style="text-align:start"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif"><span style="color:#212121"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:14pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:1.2">As part of UNIFIL support to the state entities in south Lebanon, particularly during these exceptionally challenging times, recently the French peacekeepers conducted a joint training with Civil Defense firefighters of Tyre. UNIFIL’s cooperation with the Lebanese Civil Defense, that carries out firefighting, search and rescue activities across the country, dates back to 2008 and has encompassed a plethora of support interventions ranging from equipping of the existing Civil Defense facilities to facilitation of joint exercises and training courses.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

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<p class="paragraph" style="text-align:start"><span style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif"><span style="color:#212121"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif">Each year, on May the 29^th, UNIFIL commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. It's a day dedicated to recognizing the dedication and sacrifices of the women and men who serve tirelessly for peace across the globe. Traditionally, the mission organizes a gathering at its headquarters in Naqoura, bringing together peacekeepers, national and local officials, as well as members of the Lebanese Armed Forces and other security agencies. However, this year, </span>due to the security situation and the ongoing exchanges of fire in the south<span style="font-family:Aptos, sans-serif">, the mission did not hold a physical event. Instead, UNIFIL's Head of Mission and Force Commander, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro, addressed the peacekeepers serving in south Lebanon.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p class="paragraph" style="text-align:start"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/unifilradio/peacekeepers-day-amidst-adversity?si… style="font-size:16px"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif"><span style="color:#212121"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="vertical-align:baseline">&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><strong><i>Here is the link to full story in SoundCloud</i></strong></a></p>

<p style="text-align:start">In this episode of “Salam from the South”, UNIFIL Spokesperson Andrea Tenenti will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in south Lebanon, and the role the mission is playing during the current crisis in de-escalating the situation.</p>

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<p class="p1">Over the past 46 years, since UNIFIL was deployed in south Lebanon in 1978, the mission and its peacekeepers have developed strong bonds with the communities in which they live and work. Amidst recent exchanges of fire along the Blue Line starting October the 8th, UNIFIL has consistently urged the parties to respect their commitments under resolution 1701 and has maintained its operational activities aimed at lowering tensions and preventing escalation. Furthermore, UNIFIL has been actively assisting the local community with medical, dental, veterinary, and educational support, as well as other kinds of assistance, while ensuring humanitarian access to the most affected. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro continually stresses the vital importance of addressing the needs of local communities during these difficult times.</p>

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<p>UNIFIL Deputy Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel sits down with Salam from the South to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in south Lebanon.</p>

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<p style="text-align:start"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-family:Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color:#212121"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:1.2">Since the exchanges of fire began along the Blue Line on October 8^th, the situation has drastically changed in south Lebanon. And after 17 years of unprecedented stability, UNIFIL peacekeepers now operate under very different and more difficult conditions than before. But still, they are performing their mandated activities under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to restore security and stability along the Blue Line and prevent the outbreak of a wider and more devastating conflict. Peacekeeping patrols are a critical part of this. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro says </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:1.2">ensuring peacekeepers’ ability to move within their area of operation is essential for the effective implementation of </span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:1.2">UNIFIL’s</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="line-height:1.2"> mandate.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

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<p>Our trip began on a Monday morning in Naqoura, as we make our way to a base home to Ghanaian peacekeepers in Al Qawzah, southwestern Lebanon, along the Blue Line. The road, once bustling with activity, now lies deserted. All we meet was destruction in the distance as we pass through Alma Shaab, Dhaira, Yarin, and Al Bustan. We arrive at the peacekeeping base, where Lieutenant Colonel Frank Agyeman, the Ghanaian battalion Commander, greets us outside his office. Fortunately, the morning saw a decrease in the exchanges of fire along the Blue Line. It is not always the case.</p>