United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for restraint following a rocket attack and retaliatory shelling along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“(Ban) appreciates the cooperation of both the Lebanese and Israeli authorities with UNIFIL's efforts to prevent further escalation of this incident, as well as their continued commitment to the cessation of hostilities along the Blue Line,” the UN chief’s spokesperson said in a statement late Sunday.
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Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said there were no injuries and no damage caused from Sunday's rocket fire.
UNIFIL officer inspects rockets in Lebanon (Photo: Reuters)
“The Secretary-General urges all actors to exercise maximum restraint and prevent further incidents with destabilizing and escalatory potential in the region.”
The statement also quoted UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra as saying that the recent border clash was “a very serious incident in violation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 and is clearly directed at undermining stability in the area.”
The Israeli army said on Sunday that five rockets were fired at Israel, with at least one of them exploding on its territory without causing any casualties or damage.
In retaliation, the Israeli military fired about 20 shells at Lebanon, also without causing any casualties or damage, according to a Lebanese security official.
Tension has spiked on the border between the two countries since Lebanese troops shot dead an Israeli soldier driving near the frontier on December 16.
It was the most serious incident along the border since 2010, when one Israeli soldier and two Lebanese soldiers, and a journalist were killed.