UNIFIL Press Statements on “Rocket fire into Israel from southern Lebanon”

"On Monday, 14 July at around 0030hrs, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) detected the firing of three rockets from the general area of Qulaylah, Southern Lebanon towards Israel. Israeli authorities informed UNIFIL that two rockets impacted at sea and one in Northern Israel, south of the Blue Line. The Israel Defense Forces returned artillery fire towards the general area of Zibqin.

UNIFIL Acting Force Commander Brigadier-General Tarundeep Kumar immediately established contact with senior Commanders of the LAF and the IDF urging them to exercise maximum restraint, to cooperate with UNIFIL in order to prevent further escalation.

No casualties or damage have been reported thus far from either side, and there has been no claim of responsibility for the rocket attack. This is the third incident in a week involving serious security breaches south of the Litani River. UNIFIL in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces is enhancing security control in the area and has intensified patrols to prevent any further incidents that endanger the safety of the local population and the security of southern Lebanon

The parties have reaffirmed their commitment to the cessation of hostilities and are fully cooperating with UNIFIL in efforts to prevent any further incidents along the Blue Line.

UNIFIL has launched an investigation into the incident that amounted to a serious violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, clearly directed at undermining stability in the area and endangered human lives.

The situation in the area is now calm."

12 July 2014
"On Saturday 12 July at around 2300hrs, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) detected the firing of at least two rockets from the general area of Qulaylah, Southern Lebanon towards Israel. Israeli authorities informed UNIFIL that the rockets impacted Northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces returned artillery fire towards the general area of Zibqin.

UNIFIL Acting Force Commander Brigadier-General Tarundeep Kumar immediately established contact with senior Commanders of the LAF and the IDF. He urged them to exercise maximum restraint, to cooperate with UNIFIL in order to prevent further escalation.

No casualties or damage have been reported thus far from either side, and there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket attack. UNIFIL in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, is maintaining enhanced operational presence on the ground, and has intensified patrols across the area of operations to prevent any further incidents.

The parties have reaffirmed their commitment to the cessation of hostilities and are fully cooperating with UNIFIL in efforts to prevent any further incidents along the Blue Line.

UNIFIL has launched an investigation into the incident that amounted to a grave violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 and endangered human lives.

The situation in the area is now calm."

11 July 2014
Around 6am this morning, UNIFIL radars detected firing of three rockets towards Israel from the general area of Ain Arab in south Lebanon. Israeli authorities informed UNIFIL that one rocket impacted in northern Israel.
The IDF returned artillery fire towards the general area from where the rocket fire originated.

At this time, no casualties have been reported from either side. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major-General Paolo Serra, and the Mission's leadership are in close contact with the parties urging maximum restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation.

In coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, UNIFIL has reinforced its presence on the ground and intensified patrols across the area of operations to prevent any further incidents

Later this morning, LAF informed UNIFIL that they found and dismantled two rockets prepared for launching in the vicinity of Majidiye in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL, in cooperation with the parties, is currently investigating on the ground to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident.

Major-General Serra said: "This is a serious incident in violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 and is clearly directed at undermining stability in the area. It is imperative to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this attack. I appreciate the quick response of LAF to reinforce security in the area and prevent any further incident from taking place."

He added: "The need of the time is to maintain security vigil and to exercise utmost restraint against any provocation. General calm has been restored in the area and the parties have reassured me of their continued commitment to maintain the cessation of hostilities in accordance with resolution 1701."