On 26 and 27 December, in the course of the ongoing investigation into the presence of tunnels along the Blue Line, UNIFIL together with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) surveyed the premises of an old concrete factory in the southern part of Kfar Kela, after UNIFIL had observed liquified cement flowing out from the building within this facility.

The liquid overflowing on the Lebanese side had been injected by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through a shaft drilled on their end of a tunnel that UNIFIL had previously independently confirmed to be crossing the Blue Line in the same general area.

Based on this observation, UNIFIL can confirm that the old concrete factory in Kfar Kela has an opening to the tunnel, which is crossing the Blue Line.

UNIFIL is working in close coordination with the LAF in efforts to enable appropriate steps to address the violation of resolution 1701.

Separately, on 26 December, the IDF informed UNIFIL of another operation using explosives on a tunnel south of Ayta Ash Sha’b. This tunnel identified by the IDF was not previously reported to UNIFIL and, therefore, it’s existence has not been independently verified by UNIFIL. On 27 December, UNIFIL conducted a post-blast assessment and observed a crater in the area. UNIFIL is working with the LAF to assess any damage caused by the explosion.

UNIFIL remains engaged with the parties to ensure that all activities in sensitive areas are duly coordinated, the Blue Line is fully respected by both sides, and to help the parties uphold their respective obligations towards the cessation of hostilities under resolution 1701.