The United Nations continues to advocate for a 21-day cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah, with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, confirming on Wednesday that the proposal, led by the US and France, is still on the table. The call comes amid intense cross-border clashes and growing concerns over the violations of UN Security Council resolution 1701, which has been in place since 2006 to maintain peace along Lebanon’s southern border.
Resolution 1701 mandates that only the Lebanese army can maintain a military presence in the border region with Israel, a rule long violated by Hezbollah, which controls much of southern Lebanon. Hennis-Plasschaert stressed the need for a realistic roadmap to enforce the resolution, emphasizing that the current lack of implementation has contributed to the ongoing conflict.
The call for a cease-fire comes as Israel continues its military operations in Lebanon, with both sides exchanging fire. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon reiterated Israel’s support for resolution 1701 but emphasized that the Lebanese army and UNIFIL (the UN peacekeeping mission) must be empowered to ensure Hezbollah’s forces do not return to the region.