United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported signs that Israeli forces are preparing for a long-term military presence in the area, even as airstrikes and shelling continue and the peacekeepers' own movements remain restricted.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters in New York on Monday, 9 November, that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had logged six Israeli airstrikes in its area of operations over four days, three on Thursday, 5 November, and three more on Sunday, 8 November. In the same period, peacekeepers recorded 360 artillery trajectories hitting areas around Houla, Al Qantara, Brashit, Mansouri and Majdel Zoun.

UNIFIL also observed drone flights, engineering work and road construction across the south during the same period.

Signs of a sustained presence

"Apparent preparations for sustained presence were observed in both sectors of UNIFIL's area of operations," Haq said, according to the UN's account of the briefing. The mission did not say what the construction was for, or how long Israeli forces might remain.

The report adds to growing concern in Beirut about Israel's footprint in the south. Israeli forces have held positions in southern Lebanon since large-scale fighting erupted on 2 March, and a ceasefire framework agreed in June has not stopped regular strikes, demolitions and ground operations.

Peacekeepers' movements restricted

Haq said restrictions on the peacekeepers' own freedom of movement continued. Gates and physical barriers impeded movement, particularly in the eastern sector. In the western sector, Israeli soldiers and tanks restricted movement in both directions near Al-Bayyada on Friday.

On humanitarian access, Haq said movements continued under deconfliction arrangements coordinated through UNIFIL and the UN humanitarian office, OCHA. Five movements were deconflicted on Thursday and one on Friday.

Weapons near UN positions

Asked about the Israeli army's report that it had found two weapons depots in Meiss El Jabal, reportedly 100 and 200 metres from a UNIFIL position, Haq said the presence of unauthorised weapons and armed personnel south of the Litani River was a flagrant violation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

He added that UNIFIL had discovered hundreds of unauthorised weapons caches and reported them to the Lebanese Armed Forces, but that the force was not mandated to search private property or forcibly disarm Hezbollah or any other armed group.

The UN said it was aware of the latest reports and, where it had access, tried to follow up, adding that it had consistently reported violations of Resolution 1701 to the Security Council.

UNIFIL winds down at year end

The findings come as UNIFIL prepares to end operations on 31 December under a Security Council decision, a deadline that has raised questions about what security arrangements will follow once the force withdraws. The mission has patrolled southern Lebanon since 1978 and is the main international presence between the Israeli border and the Litani River.

With strikes continuing and new roads and barriers appearing across the south, the UN's latest update underlines how fragile the truce remains, and how little sign there is of an Israeli withdrawal before the peacekeepers leave.