The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon called for a reduction in tensions on Friday following a significant rise in hostilities along the Lebanese-Israeli border, where exchanges of fire between Israel and the Iran-aligned Hezbollah have persisted for nearly a year.

UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti informed Reuters that there has been “a substantial escalation of hostilities across the Blue Line” and within its operational area. “We are alarmed by the heightened tensions along the Blue Line and urge all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate,” he stated.

The Blue Line marks the boundary between Lebanon and Israel. On Thursday evening, Israeli aircraft conducted their most extensive airstrikes in southern Lebanon during the ongoing conflict.

This action followed earlier assaults this week that destroyed thousands of communication devices used by Hezbollah, resulting in at least 37 fatalities and numerous injuries.