UNIFIL Press Statement on today’s incident along the Blue Line

4 January 2016
Late this afternoon, UNIFIL was informed that two IDF vehicles were attacked south of the Blue Line in the general area of Sheeba Farms. The IDF returned artillery fire in the general area of Kafr Chouba, Abbasiva and Bastara in UNIFIL's area of operations. No casualties were reported to UNIFIL. 
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Luciano Portolano was in immediate contact with the parties urging both sides to exercise utmost restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation. 
UNIFIL Head of Mission Major-General Portolano said: "The need of the time is to maintain security vigil and to exercise utmost restraint against any provocation. General calm has been restored in the area and the parties have reassured me of their continued commitment to maintain the cessation of hostilities in accordance with resolution 1701." 
UNIFIL has further reinforced its presence on the ground and intensified patrols across the area of operations in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. 
UNIFIL has launched an investigation to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident.