Air violations across the Blue Line – PRSG statement – Press release

Press Release

22 October 2001 Attack on Shebaa Farms area

Shortly after 1300 hours today, the Hizballah launched an attack involving substantial mortar fire and around 10 missiles against three Israeli army positions in the occupied Shebaa Farms area.  Subsequently, the Israeli army retaliated with heavy mortar/artillery/tank fire and an Israeli military aircraft dropped two aerial bombs in the vicinity of Kfar Shouba inside Lebanese territory.  There have been no reported casualties on either side.

The Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon expressed strong and serious concern at this new military attack across the Blue Line.  Such attacks and counter attacks exacerbate an already tense situation in the region.  Furthermore, he notes with deep regret that the relative calm that had prevailed for an extended period of time on the Blue Line has now been violently breached twice in the space of three weeks, and this undoubtedly is a very negative development.

The Personal Representative of the Secretary-General considers it crucial that all parties concerned cease such violations, exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further escalation.

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