"Worrisome Shift" on the Lebanese Front... This is What "UNIFIL" Announced

The Head of the UNIFIL mission and its Force Commander, General Arouldo Latharo, stated, "We have witnessed a worrisome shift in the exchange of fire over the past few days." He added: "This conflict has claimed a very large number of lives and caused severe damage to homes and public infrastructure. It has also jeopardized livelihoods and changed the lives of tens of thousands of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line. However, we are now witnessing an expansion and intensification of strikes." The Head of the UNIFIL mission continued: "In recent days, we have continued our active work with the parties to de-escalate tensions and prevent serious misunderstandings, but recent events have the potential to endanger the political solution to this conflict." General Latharo concluded: "We urge all concerned parties to cease hostilities to prevent further escalation and leave room for a political and diplomatic solution that can restore stability and ensure the safety of people in this region."