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 April 1977. 1/

1. Ground activity increased significantly in the north-eastern part of the sector during the reporting period. It was mainly centred around the villages of Marjayoun (AMR 2056-3074, 2/ El Khiam (AMR 2075-3035) and Ett Taibe (AMR 1988-2977). Air activity decreased and 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), l4 (AMR 1838-2740, 18 (AMR 1880-2740), 19 (AMR 1907-2749) and 33 ( AMR 2004-2904.

3. There were 31 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 one crossing violation by Israel forces on 24 April (maximum penetration 50 metres).

(b) OP Bin (AMR 1770-2790), east of the village of Marouahine, reported artillery fire on 8 (two reports) and 10 April, and automatic-weapons fire on 16 April, all by Israel forces.

(c) OP Mar (AMR 1998-2921), south-east of the village of Markaba, reported mortar fire on 4 April, artillery fire on 4, 5 (two reports), 6 (two reports), 4, 7,  9, 11 and 13 April, artillery and mortar fire on 6 (two reports) and 7 April, and automatic-weapons fire on l6, 21 and 23 April, all by Israel forces.

(d) OP Khiam (AMR 2071-3025), south of the village of El Khiam, reported artillery fire on 7, 8, 9 (two reports), 11, 12 (two reports) and 21 (four reports) April, all by Israel forces.

(e) An UNTSO mobile patrol, while located at AMR 1860-2739, reported a crossing violation by Israel forces on l4 April (maximum penetration 30 metres)

4. There were five overflights reported during the period.  Overflights by Israel forces jet aircraft were reported on 8 April (one overflight), and on 10 and 26 April (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.