Over 120 projectiles were fired from Lebanese territory toward Israel, which responded with seven air strikes and 120 artillery rounds: a continuing escalation is being recorded along the Blue Line managed by the UN UNIFIL mission, with the Sassari Brigade commanding the western sector.
The latest report released by the spokesperson for the increasingly threatened peacekeeping operation speaks of "deep concern" and of actions that constitute "serious violations of Resolution 1701," the measure that brought UN peacekeepers into the territory to monitor the cessation of hostilities, which increasingly appears to be a mirage.
"The recent escalation along the Blue Line," the official statement reads, "is once again causing the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents and the destruction of vast neighborhoods and villages. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed and others injured. As always in a conflict, civilians suffer the most." On March 10, soldiers from the Sassari Brigade supported the evacuation of thousands of Lebanese civilians from the areas hardest hit by Tel Aviv's raids.
Peacekeeping forces remain on the ground, UNIFIL says, "impartially monitoring and reporting developments, acting as a liaison between the parties, and, where possible, facilitating humanitarian support and the protection of civilians. We continue to urge the parties to end hostilities and renew our commitment to the full implementation of Resolution 1701, for the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line. UNIFIL is in close contact with Lebanese and Israeli officials, and we stand ready to support them in this, in any way possible." But they, it seems, aren't listening. So much so that Israel has announced: "If Hezbollah doesn't stop, we will take Lebanon."
