By Nykoel Dinardo
Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
United Nations – On July 14, an explosion in Southern Lebanon triggered a slew of accusations that Hezbollah has been and is still violating UN Resolution 1701 by gathering and storing arms. Resolution 1701, which was signed in 2006, led to a halt in firing between Hezbollah and Israel following a 34 day armed conflict. It imposed a strict embargo on weapons to Lebanese or foreign militias in Lebanon.
According to Israeli military officials, the explosion in Lebanon was composed of “a new stock of short range missiles” and that those weapons were the property of Hezbollah. Israeli Brig. Gen. Aviv Kochavi explained to journalists on July 15 that he believed the building also contained mortars, shells, rockets and other ammunition as well. The explosion collapsed a two-story building on the outskirts of the village of Khirbet Silim, twelve miles from the Israeli border. The cause of the explosion is still unclear. No one was injured in the blast. However, many residents in the area were panicked as the explosion took place on the third anniversary of the 2006 war.
Israeli officials asked for an official UN investigation. Israeli Ambassador Gabriela Shalev asked the UN to take action and at least begin an investigation citing this incident, and two others, that she claims are “severe violations” of Resolution 1701. The UN sent an envoy of soldiers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. However, demonstrations at the site of the explosion turned violent when UN soldiers arrived. Fourteen soldiers were injured and several UN vehicles were damages.
UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams has spoken out since this incident calling for restraint. Williams said that the UN needs to “lower the temperature, to try and address the issues and not see any escalation” of the situation. In a statement to the press on July 20 explained that “clearly there were violations of 1701” and he has been meeting with several Lebanese officials to address the problem. He called on both Lebanon and Israel to renew their commitment to the Resolution and exercise restraint during this period.
For more information, please see:
United Nations – Top UN Envoy Urges Restraint After Recent Incident in Southern Lebanon – 21 July 2009
Associated Press – Israel to Lebanon: Stop Border Violations – 20 July 2009
CNN – Lebanon: Crowd Attack U.N. Peacekeepers – 20 July 2009
AFP – Israel Demands Tougher UN Action Against Hezbollah Arms – 16 July 2009
New York Times – Israel Sees Evidence of Hezbollah’s Rearming in Explosion – 15 July 2009
Ynet – Explosion in Hezbollah Arms Cache Stirs Panic in South Lebanon – 14 July 2009
