BEIRUT / Naeem Bourjaoui / Anadolu

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned Thursday that the situation in southern Lebanon remains 'fragile,' despite a decrease in the level of violence since late June.

UNIFIL noted that it has intensified its operational activities in the area to support stability.

This comes as the Israeli army continued its military operations in southern Lebanon, carrying out a series of demolition operations inside the town of Khiam overnight Wednesday-Thursday, along with another explosion in the town of Taybeh, whose echoes were heard in various areas of the south, according to the Lebanese National News Agency.

UNIFIL said in a statement that it 'has been able to gradually increase its operational activities across southern Lebanon, amid the recent decline in the level of violence.'

It added: 'As families begin returning to their villages, peacekeepers are enhancing their presence to help consolidate the relative stability achieved over the past weeks.'

UNIFIL explained that 'peacekeepers continue to monitor developments, communicate with the parties, and support local communities where possible, including assisting in repairing damaged roads and other infrastructure.'

It stated that 'these efforts contribute to supporting recovery and also help facilitate movement for the implementation of our operational activities.'

UNIFIL affirmed that 'despite the decrease in the level of violence since late June, the situation remains fragile, and dialogue, coordination, and continued operational activities remain essential to reduce tensions and restore stability in the area.'

UNIFIL was established in 1978 following the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, and its mandate was significantly expanded after the July 2006 war, under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted that same year to end hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.

UNIFIL's warning of the fragility of the situation comes despite Lebanon and Israel signing a 'framework agreement' under US sponsorship on June 26, 2026, and two days after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced that a new round of talks between the two sides would be held in the Italian capital Rome next week.

Since March 2, Israel has been waging an aggression on Lebanon against the backdrop of the war with Iran, resulting in the deaths of 4,321 people and injuries to 12,204 others as of July 9, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the war that took place between 2023 and 2024, while it advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the latest aggression.