UNIFIL Commander Confirms Tense and Dangerous Situation in Southern Lebanon

The commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), General Arnaldo Lazaro Sainz, confirmed that the situation in southern Lebanon is "tense" and "dangerous" amid rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. He explained to some journalists before meeting with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna that "the current situation, as everyone knows, is tense; it is difficult and dangerous." Lazaro mentioned that UNIFIL strives to maintain the status quo, particularly by playing a mediating role between the two parties "to avoid miscalculations or interpretations that could lead to further escalation." He confirmed that "Hezbollah is using longer-range weapons more often, while Israel is violating Lebanese airspace," adding, "But in the past three days, we have noticed a decrease in crossfire."