'Any crossing into Lebanon' is violation of sovereignty, UN resolution, says UNIFIL

The UN's peacekeeping force in Lebanon operating under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has said the Israeli military notified UNIFIL on Monday "of their intention to undertake limited ground incursions" into southern Lebanon.

UN peacekeepers remain in position  despite the "dangerous development" said a UNIFIL statement.

"Any crossing into Lebanon is in violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a violation of resolution 1701," said the statement, referring to the 2006 Security Council resolution calling on a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

"Civilians must be protected, civilian infrastructure must not be targeted and International law must be respected," said the statement.