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).