In a joint statement, United Nations Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro expressed deep concern over the intensifying violence along the Blue Line, marking a year since the outbreak of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

"One year since near-daily exchanges of fire commenced across the Blue Line, initiated by Hizbullah propelling rockets into Shab‘a Farms, in violation of the cessation of hostilities and Security Council resolution 1701 (2006)," the statement said. 

"One year in which far too many lives have been lost, uprooted, and devastated, while civilians on both sides of the Blue Line are left wanting for security and stability. One year in which our repeated appeals for restraint, the protection of civilians and adherence to international humanitarian law, a return to the cessation of hostilities, and a political process anchored in the implementation of 1701 have gone unheeded," it added. 

According to the statement, the situation has deteriorated significantly, with Israel’s constant bombardment in Lebanon and Hezbollah’s frequent rocket and missile launches into Israel.

"Far too many people are paying an unimaginable price – with many killed, many more wounded, and hundreds of thousands displaced," they noted, describing the humanitarian impact as "nothing short of catastrophic."

The UN officials also highlighted the failure of both parties to heed repeated calls for restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law. Despite ongoing appeals to return to the cessation of hostilities and pursue a political process anchored in the implementation of Resolution 1701, the conflict has escalated into more intense violence.

"Every missile or rocket launched, bomb dropped, and ground raid conducted pulls the parties further away from the vision set forth in Resolution 1701," said Lt. Gen. Lázaro. He warned that continued violence would not solve the underlying issues or ensure long-term safety for civilians on either side.

"Quite the opposite. A negotiated solution is the only pathway to restore the security and stability that civilians on both sides so desperately want and deserve."

The statement urged both Israel and Hezbollah to act now, insisting that a political resolution is the only viable path forward.

"The time to act accordingly is now," they concluded, stressing that further violence would only lead to more suffering and instability in the region.