Condemning Attack against Israel Defense Forces, Secretary-General Calls on All Parties to Maintain Cessation of Hostilities

SECRETARY-GENERAL
PRESS RELEASE

5 JANUARY 2016
SG/SM/17441
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:
The Secretary-General condemns yesterday's attack against two vehicles of the Israel Defense Forces, in the general area of the Sheba'a Farms, south of the Blue Line, which was claimed by Hizbullah.  The Secretary-General expresses his concern at the retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces across the Blue Line in southern Lebanon, in the area of operations of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
UNIFIL and the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon have taken immediate steps through contacts with the parties to help restore calm in the area.  UNIFIL is investigating the circumstances of the incident in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces.  The Secretary-General calls on all parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities and to ensure full respect for Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).

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.