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 October 1977. 1/

1. Ground and air activity was at a low level during the reporting period. No naval violations were observed.  The general cease-fire which went into effect on 26 September 1977 has been partially respected by all.  Freedom of movement of UNTSO personnel was completely denied by the de facto forces in the vicinity of El Khiam (AMR 2075-3035) 2/ (identified by United Nations military observers as Christian), thereby making relief of OP Khiam difficult and time-consuming. In addition, de facto forces continue to hinder UNTSO operations by hijacking United Nations vehicles and equipment, shooting into the immediate vicinity of OP relief convoys and forcing entry into OPs.  Approximately 70 per cent of the incidents reported in October involved de facto forces identified by observers as Christian and occurred in the vicinity of OP Hin (AMR 1770-2790) and OP Lab (AMR 1643-2772). These types of incidents (hijacking, denial of freedom of movement, armed theft, forced entry into OPs, mined roads and shooting) continue to force partial curtailment of the normal daily UNTSO patrolling of the armistice demarcation line.

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 1709-2788), l4 (AMR 1838-2734), 18 (AMR 1880-2740), 19 (AMR 1907-2749) and 33 (AMR 2004-2904).

3. There were three cases of firing across the ADL.  Two of these cases involved an exchange of fire.  There were eight crossing violations.  These were reported as follows:

(a)  OP Hin, east of the village of Marouahine, reported an exchange of  Artillery fire on 5 October between Israel and unidentified forces and automatic-weapons fire and flares by Israel forces on 28 October. The OP also reported crossing violations by Israel forces on l4, 17 and 29 October (maximum penetrations 150, 75 and 700 metres., respectively).  In addition, the OP reported that one soldier from de facto forces crossed into Israel on 6 October near an Israel forces,, position he was immediately met by an Israel forces patrol and left the area with the patrol.

(b)  OP Ras (AMR 1920-2785), south-east of the village of Maroun Er Ras, reported crossing violations by Israel forces in the vicinity of border pillar 23 (AMR 1965-2775) on 23, 24, 25 and 26 October (maximum penetration 400 metres each day).  The observers were unable to determine the exact purpose of the crossings owing to the long observation distance involved, but it appeared that a position was being prepared in the area.

4. There were 13 overflights reported during the period. Overflights by Israel forces jet aircraft were reported on 9 October (one overflight), on 3, 13, 25 and 30 October (two each day) and on 22 October (four overflights).

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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.