UN force says Israeli project on Syria border saw 'severe violations' of a cease-fire deal after AP report on work there

The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Syria says it has documented "severe violations" of a cease-fire deal in the area after an Associated Press report on construction work there by Israel

The UN force, known as UNDOF, said in a statement Thursday that it had conducted an investigation into the construction work and found that it had caused "significant damage" to the cease-fire line and "posed a serious threat to the safety and security of UN personnel."

The AP reported last week that Israel was building a new road and fence along the border with Syria, in an area where a cease-fire has been in place since 2017.

The UN force said that it had raised its concerns with both Israel and Syria, and that it was urging them to "take immediate steps to address the violations and prevent their recurrence."

The cease-fire deal, which was brokered by Russia and the United States, has been largely successful in reducing violence in southern Syria.

However, there have been occasional reports of violations, including airstrikes and shelling.

The UN force said that the construction work by Israel was the most serious violation of the cease-fire deal that it had documented.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it was "aware of the UN's concerns" and that it was "committed to the cease-fire agreement."

The statement said that the military was "taking steps to address the UN's concerns and prevent any further violations."

The Syrian government has not commented on the UN's findings.