UN peacekeeping force calls for de-escalation on Israel-Lebanon border

ISTANBUL

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Friday called for de-escalation on the border between Israel and Lebanon, after a Lebanese journalist was killed.

In a statement, UNIFIL said: “A heavy exchange of fire erupted between Lebanon and Israel in the vicinity of Alma Shaab, Ayta Ash Shab', Al Dihaira, El Adeysse and Houla (Southern Lebanon).”

“We are deeply saddened to hear that during this exchange of fire a Lebanese videographer has been killed with reports of other journalists injured,” it said.

“UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro urgently calls to stop firing. The potential for this escalation to spiral out of control is clear, and it must be halted,” the statement said.

Earlier, Reuters said that its videographer, Issam Abdallah, was killed while working in southern Lebanon. Five other journalists were injured, two of whom are associated with the Al Jazeera network, in the shelling in southern Lebanon, according to media reports.