Israel Continues Bombing Southern Lebanon.. Beirut Calls for Renewal of UNIFIL Mandate

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially requested the United Nations to extend the mandate of the international emergency force "UNIFIL" operating in southern Lebanon, as its current mandate is set to expire in August.

This move comes amidst a continuous escalation in Israeli violations despite the ceasefire agreement in effect.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun affirmed during a meeting with a high-ranking British military delegation that the presence of UNIFIL is necessary and represents a fundamental pillar in maintaining stability and security in the south. He noted that the Lebanese army continues to implement the state's decision to exclusively hold arms and has removed all armed manifestations in its deployment areas south of the Litani River.

On the ground, Israel continues to carry out military operations in southern Lebanon, targeting a motorcycle carrying a member of "Hezbollah" near the town of Beit Lif, resulting in his immediate death.

In another attack, a drone fired a missile at a small bulldozer between the towns of Barashit and Shaqra, an area that was previously a site for launching rockets towards Israel, causing severe injuries to a civilian, as announced by the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

In a further escalation, an Israeli military patrol entered the border village of Houla yesterday morning, where eyewitnesses reported that Israeli soldiers planted mines inside a house belonging to a "Hezbollah" member and then detonated it completely.

On June 23, the Israeli warplanes carried out intensive airstrikes targeting more than 12 southern towns, focusing their shelling on military installations, weapon depots, and missile launch pads belonging to "Hezbollah" north of the Litani River, according to the Israeli army, without reporting any human losses among the fighters.

Despite the ceasefire agreement that began its implementation on November 27 last year, Israeli forces are still present in five points inside southern Lebanon.

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Interior statistics, Israeli attacks since that date have resulted in the death of at least 190 people and injuries to 485 others of varying degrees.

Amidst these rapid developments, the Lebanese people and the international community are closely following the future of the UNIFIL mission, which currently constitutes one of the most important elements of balance and de-escalation in a highly tense region.