Israel Builds Wall Into Lebanon, UN Says Violates Ceasefire

Israeli crews hammered concrete walls into Lebanese territory this weekend, prompting Beirut to vow UN Security Council action and UN peacekeepers to condemn “blatant violations” of Resolution 1700. The construction, which resumed after being paused during last year’s war, blocks 4,000 square meters of Lebanese land and triggered Israeli troops firing on UNIFIL peacekeepers.
UNIFIL confirmed Sunday that Israeli forces built a concrete T-wall southwest of Yaroun that crosses the UN-mapped Blue Line, rendering the territory inaccessible to Lebanese people. The peacekeeping force surveyed the wall in October and observed additional construction in November, with a second section southeast of Yaroun also crossing the line. Lebanon’s government will file a formal complaint, with President Joseph Aoun requesting immediate UN action.
“This is a serious violation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty,” UNIFIL stated Friday. The force demanded Israel respect the Blue Line and withdraw from all areas north of it.
Israel’s military responded with denial: “The wall does not cross the Blue Line,” claiming construction began in 2022 as part of post-war lessons learned. The IDF said it’s reinforcing the northern border barrier, but UNIFIL’s geospatial surveys contradict this.
The wall’s resumption follows Israel’s near-daily strikes on Lebanon despite the November 2024 ceasefire. On Sunday, Israeli troops fired on UNIFIL peacekeepers from a Merkava tank, with heavy-machinegun rounds landing five meters from UN personnel. The IDF blamed “poor weather conditions,” saying they mistook the patrol for suspects. UNIFIL called it a “serious violation” and demanded cessation of aggressive behavior.
The shooting incident near El Hamames injured one peacekeeper, adding to escalating tensions. Since the ceasefire, Israel has killed over 4,000 people, mostly civilians, and displaced one million. It maintains occupation of five border outposts despite the agreement requiring full withdrawal by January.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned Thursday that Israeli escalation threatens regional stability. The government recorded almost daily violations, with Israeli strikes destroying 300 construction vehicles on October 11 alone.
UN human rights experts condemned Israel’s “enduring occupation” as contradicting the ceasefire agreement and undermining peace prospects. They documented 108 civilian casualties and 19 abductions by Israeli soldiers since the truce.
The wall construction represents Israel’s attempt to create facts on the ground while negotiations over Hezbollah disarmament stall. By seizing territory north of the Blue Line, Israel strengthens its bargaining position but risks collapsing the fragile ceasefire.
For Lebanon, the wall is another provocation in a pattern of violations. With 80,000 people still displaced and infrastructure destroyed, the government faces pressure to respond. International community patience wears thin as Israel ignores UN demands while demanding Lebanon disarm Hezbollah.
The standoff creates an explosive situation where miscalculation could reignite full-scale war. As both sides fortify positions, the peace agreement that ended last year’s devastating conflict hangs by a thread.