The United Nations forces operating in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged to exercise restraint and de-escalate the security situation between Lebanon and Israel.

This came according to the official Lebanese National News Agency in a statement by UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti.

Tenenti confirmed that "early this morning, UNIFIL peacekeepers monitored the launching of several missiles from southern Lebanon towards the territory occupied by Israel in the Kafr Shuba area, and artillery fire from Israel into Lebanon in response."

He added, "We are in contact with the authorities on both sides of the Blue Line at all levels, to contain the situation and avoid a more dangerous escalation."

Tenenti pointed out that "UNIFIL peacekeepers are in their positions, carrying out their tasks and continuing to work, including from shelters for their safety."

He added, "We urge everyone to exercise restraint and take advantage of UNIFIL's liaison and coordination mechanisms to reduce the escalation and prevent the rapid deterioration of the security situation."

The Lebanese Hezbollah claimed in a statement that its military arm had fired large numbers of artillery shells and missiles directed at 3 Israeli sites in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms, including the Mount Hermon Observatory site, the largest Israeli army observatory on the border line with Lebanon.

Sources in the Lebanese army intelligence confirmed to Xinhua News Agency that the exchange of artillery and missile shelling between Hezbollah and the Israeli army stopped completely after it continued for about an hour and a half.

The sources indicated that the Israeli 155 mm heavy artillery responded by firing about 70 shells at several areas in eastern southern Lebanon, including the heights of Mount Sadana and the outskirts of the villages of Shebaa, Kafr Shuba, Halta, and Al-Habbariyeh, without recording any casualties.
She added that Israeli marches were flying densely over the Shebaa Farms, Kfarshouba Hills, and the villages of Arqoub, east of southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese army declared a state of maximum alert, while UNIFIL intensified its patrols along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel.