Mideast situation/Status of cease-fire – UNTSO supplemental information – SecGen report

Further report on the status of the cease-fire

in the Middle East

The Chief of Staff of UNTSO has submitted the following special report on developments in the Israel-Lebanon sector:

1. Increased ground activity was reported in the Israel-Lebanon sector during the period from approximately 1200 hours 1/ on 31 December 1974 to 0100 hours on 1 January 1975- The following reports were received:

(a) OP Bin (AMR 1770-2790) 2/ reported artillery fire between 1158 and 1219 hours (11 rounds), 1913 and 1920 hours (U rounds), 1946 and 2015 hours (22 rounds) and 2400 and 0050 hours (53 rounds), and automatic-weapons fire between 1730 and 1820 hours, all by Israel forces. In addition it reported an exchange of fire from 1700 to 1724 hours between mortar and automatic-weapons fire by Israel forces and automatic-weapons fire by unidentified forces west of the OP. During the exchange of fire Israel forces automatic-weapons fire passed within 10 metres of the OP. However, no damage to the OP or injuries to United Nations personnel were reported.

(b) OP Ras (AMR 1920-2785) reported artillery fire by Israel forces between 1247 and 1315 hours (9 rounds).

(c) OP Khiem (AMR 2071-3025) reported artillery fire by Israel forces between 3035 and 2058 hours (6 rounds), impacting in the vicinity of Nabatiye (AMR 1958-3090).

(d) In addition, a total of 78 explosions were heard by OPs Bin, Mar (AMR 1998-2921), Ras and Khiam during this period.

2. Three complaints were received from the Lebanese authorities with requests that they be inquired into by United Nations military observers* In each case  the Chief of Staff of UNTSO authorized the- inquiry, and United Nations military observers, accompanied by a representative of the Senior Lebanese Delegate to the Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission, interviewed witnesses in the area and examined the evidence presented to them. The complaints and the relevant inquiries are outlined below:  

(a) The first complaint alleged that on 31 December between 1230 and 2150 hours Israel forces artillery fire and flares had fallen in several areas in Lebanese territory, including Nabatiye, where the artillery fire caused injury to four persons, destruction of one house and other material damage. The inquiry took place on 1 January between 0030 and 0240 hours. The witnesses, a local doctor and four residents of Nabatiye, stated that between 2030 and 2100 hours on 31 December, seven artillery rounds had impacted in the vicinity, wounding six persons. The military observers saw three residents of the town who had received recent blast and fragmentation wounds. They also saw three houses, one vehicle and two utility poles which had been recently damaged by artillery impacts. In connexion with this Lebanese complaint, it should be mentioned that OP Khiam reported artillery fire by Israel forces impacting in the vicinity of Nabatiye between 2035 and 2058 hours (see para. 1 (c) above). Based on the results of the inquiry and the report from OP Khiam, the complaint is confirmed in so far as the injury to three person's and damage to three houses and other materials in the town of Nabatiye are concerned.

(b) The second complaint alleged that on 31 December between 2030 and 2100 hours an Israel force penetrated Lebanese territory in the village of Aitaroun (AMR 1944-2802), blew up one house with dynamite, caused material damage and abducted two Lebanese citizens. The inquiry took place in the village of Aitaroun on 1 January between 0615 and 0805 hours. Witnesses in the village stated that on 31 December at approximately 2000 hours an Israel force of approximately 60 soldier entered the village, ordered the occupants cf one house to leave it, blew up the house with dynamite and kidnapped two sons of its owner. The military observers saw one house which had recently been destroyed by explosives. They also saw two vehicles near the house which had recently been damaged by an explosion. Based on the results of the inquiry, the complaint is confirmed in so far as the destruction of one house and damaging of two vehicles in the village of Aitaroun are concerned.

(c) The third complaint alleged that between 2315 hours on 31 December and 0015 hours on 1 January, an Israel force penetrated Lebanese territory in the village of Yarine (AMR 1723-2789), blew up 10 houses with dynamite, caused injury to one child and kidnapped three Lebanese citizens. The inquiry took place in the village of Yarine on 1 January between 1100 and 1310 hours. A witness in the village stated that Israel forces soldiers entered the village at approximately 2200 hours, destroyed 10 houses with explosives and abducted three men from the village. He also stated that a child had been injured by the explosions and taken to a nearby hospital. The military observers saw 10 houses which had recently been destroyed by explosives. Based on the results of the inquiry, the complaint is confirmed in so far as the destruction of 10 houses is concerned.

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 1/  All times GMT.

 2/ AMR – approximate map reference.


2019-03-11T20:15:34-04:00

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