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 February 1976.

1. Activity remained at a low level during the month.

2. Israel forces personnel continued to occupy daily, during daylight hours, five positions on the Lebanese side of the armistice demarcation line (ADL) near border pillars..11 (AMR 1799-2788) 1/ (except on 11 February), l4 (AMR 1838-2734) (except on 3, 5-7, 9, 10, 25, 26 and 28 February), 18 (AMR 1880-2740) (except on 8-10 February), 19 (AMR 1907-2749) (except on 9 and 10 February) and 33 (AMR 2004-2904).

3. There were 19 cases of firing across the ADL, reported as follows:

(a) OP Lab (AMR 1643-2772), south of the village of Labouna, reported small-arms fire on 4, 21 and 22 February and automatic-weapons fire on 6, 18 and 21 February, all by Israel forces.

(b) OP Hin (AMR 1770-2790), east of the village of Marouahine, reported artillery fire on 3 February, small-arms fire on 11 February, automatic-weapons fire on 11, 13, 14, 21 and 24 February and flares on 24 February, all by Israel forces.

(c) OP Mar (AMR 1998-2921), south-east of the village of Markaba, reported flares by Israel forces on 1 February.

(d) An UNTSO mobile patrol, while located at AMR 184O-2745, reported artillery fire on 1 February and, while located at AMR 1693-2773, reported mortar fire on 25 February, both by Israel forces.

4.  There were seven overflights reported during the period. Overflights by Israel forces jet aircraft were reported on 13 and 19 February (one each day) and on l6 and 18 February (two each day). An overflight by unidentified jet aircraft was reported on 24 February; United Nations military observers were unable to identify the aircraft owing to cloudy conditions.

5.  The Lebanese authorities submitted 16 complaints during the period under review as follows:

(a) Five complaints were submitted alleging that Israel forces fire had fallen on Lebanese territory on 13, 18, 22, 24 and 25 February. One of these complaints was confirmed by United Nations observation, except for damage.

(b) Six complaints concerned Israel forces jet aircraft overflights on 4 15 and 16-19 February.  Three of these complaints were confirmed.

(c) One complaint was submitted alleging that an Israel forces naval vessel penetrated Lebanese territorial waters on 6 February. The complaint was not  confirmed.

(d) Three complaints were submitted alleging that Israel forces penetrated Lebanese territory. Two of the complaints alleged penetration in the vicinity  of Aadeisse (AMR 2011-2955) on 1 and 7 February; it was also alleged that during the penetration on 1 February Israel forces abducted one Lebanese citizen. One of the complaints alleged a penetration in the vicinity of Tel Nahas (AMR 2028-2985) on 13 February; it was also alleged that Israel forces abducted one Lebanese citizen during the penetration. The complaints were not confirmed.

(e) In addition, one complaint was submitted with a request that an inquiry into it be conducted by United Nations military observers. The inquiry has been dealt with in a special report (see S/ll663/Add.22).

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1/ AMR – approximate map reference.