'Flagrant violation': UNIFIL claims IDF bulldozer destroyed a barrel, watchtower

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) claimed that an IDF bulldozer destroyed a blue barrel marking the line of withdrawal between Lebanon and Israel in Labbouneh, in a Saturday night X/Twitter post. 

During the incident, which allegedly happened on Saturday morning, peacekeepers also claimed to have witnessed the bulldozer destroy an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

"The IDF’s deliberate and direct destruction of both clearly identifiable UNIFIL property and infrastructure belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces is a flagrant violation of resolution 1701 and international law," the statement read.  "We call on all actors to avoid any actions, including the destruction of civilian property and infrastructure, that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities," it continued. 

UNIFIL calls for IDF withdrawal

Last week, the UNIFIL called on Israel to withdraw from south Lebanon, citing what it called Israeli violations of a Nov. 27 ceasefire agreement with Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

"UNIFIL continues to urge the timely withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (in place of Hezbollah) in southern Lebanon, alongside the full implementation of Resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path toward peace," the statement said.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a US-brokered 60-day ceasefire that calls for a phased Israeli military pullout after more than a year of war, in keeping with a 2006 UN Security Council resolution that ended their last major conflict.

Under the agreement, Hezbollah fighters must leave positions in south Lebanon and move north of the Litani River, which runs about 20 miles (30 km) north of the border with Israel, along with a full Israeli withdrawal from the south.

Reuters contributed to this report.