Mideast situation – UNTSO – Report on the status of the cease-fire

Further report on the status of the cease-fire

in the Israel-Lebanon sector

The Chief of Staff of UNTSO has submitted the following report on developments in the Israel-Lebanon sector during July 1977. 1/

1. Ground activity increased during the reporting period and occurred along the entire armistice demarcation line (ADL), mainly around the vicinity of the villages of Bent Jbail (AMR 1908-2805), 2/ Yarine (AMR 1723-2789), Marjayoun (AMR 2056-3074) and El Khiam (AMR 2075-3035). Air activity remained essentially at the same level as last month. One Israel naval violation was observed.

2. Israel forces personnel continued to occupy six positions on the Lebanese side of the ADL near border pillars 6 (AMR 1680-2770), 11 (AMR 1799-2788), l4 (AMR 1838-2740), 18 (  AMR 1880-2740), 19 ( AMR 1907-2749) and 33 ( AMR 2004-2904).

3. There were 27 cases of firing across the ADL and three crossing violations. These were reported as  follows:

(a) OP Lab (AMR 1643-2772), south of the village of Labouna, reported automatic weapons  fire on 16 July and mortar fire on 17 July,  both by Israel forces.

Additionally,  the OP reported two separate crossing violations by Israel  forces  on 19 July (maximum penetrations 300 and 400 metres respectively).

(b) OP Hin   (AMR 1770-2790), east of the village of Marouahine, reported artillery fire on 3, 8, 11 (two reports), 12 and 17 July.  Automatic weapons fire on 10, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 and 26 July, and mortar fire on 22 July, all by Israel forces.

(c) OP Ras (AMR 1920-2785), south-east of the village of Maroun Er Ras, reported artillery fire on 2 and 15 (two reports) July, all by Israel  forces.

(d) OP Mar (AMR 1998-2921), south-east of the village of Markaba, reported artillery fire on 8 July and automatic weapons  fire on l4, 15 and 21 July,  all by Israel forces.

(e) OP Khiam (AMR 2071-3025), south of the village  of El Khiam, reported artillery fire on 2 (two reports) and 17 and 31 July, all by Israel forces.

(f) Naqpura Outstation (AMR 1629-2805), on the coast near the village of Naqpura, reported that an Israel forces naval vessel penetrated Lebanese territorial waters on 27 July (maximum penetration 5,000 metres).

4. There were 13 overflights reported during the period.  Overflights by Israel forces jet aircraft were reported on 1, 6, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 18, 22, 24 and 30 July (one each day).  Additionally, one overflight by an  IDF light propeller aircraft was reported on 12 July.

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1/ UNTSO observers are  stationed in the Israel-Lebanon sector on the Lebanese side of the armistice demarcation line, in accordance with the consensus approved by the members of the Security Council on 19 April 1972, to observe the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon called for by the Security Council.  The present report of the Chief of Staff of UNTSO concerns developments observed and reported by UNTSO observers in this  context.

2/ AMR – approximate map reference.