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 June 1977. 1/

1. Ground and air activity increased during the reporting period.  The ground activity continues to occur, mainly in the vicinity of the villages of Marjayoun (AMR 2056-3074, 2/ El Qlaia (AMR 2030-3036) and El Khiam (AMR 2075-3035) and surrounding key terrain.  No naval activity was observed.

2. Israel forces personnel continued to occupy six positions on the Lebanese side of the armistice demarcation line (ADL) near border pillars  6 (AMR 1680-2770), 11 (AMR 1799-2788), 111 (AMR 1838-2734), 18 (AMR l880-2740), 19 (AMR 1907-2749) and 33 (AMR 2004-2904).

3. There were 10 cases of firing across the ADL and two  crossing violations.  These were reported as  follows:

(a) OP Lab (AMR 1643-2772), south of the village of Labouna,  reported automatic weapons fire by Israel forces on 19 June. Additionally, the OP reported a crossing violation by Israel forces on 8 June (maximum penetration 150 metres).

(b) OP Hin (AMR 1170-2790), east of the village of Marouahine, reported mortar fire by Israel forces on 8 June.

(c) OP Mar (AMR 1998-2921), south-east of the village of Markaba, reported artillery fire on 29 and 30 June, both by Israel forces.  Additionally, the OP reported a crossing violation by Israel forces on 30 June (maximum penetration 50 metres).

(d) OP Khiam (AMR 2071-3025), south of the village of El Khiam, reported artillery fire on 10, 11 (two reports), 18 and 30 (two reports) June, all by Israel forces.

4. There were l4  overflights  reported during the period.  Overflights by Israel forces jet aircraft were reported on 1, 8, l4, 15, I7, 21, 23, 24, 26 and 28 June (one each day) and on 3 and 12 June (two each day).

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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.