The UN Security Council has extended the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon for another 16 months, though it will conclude by the end of 2026 following pressure from Israel and the US.
Council members unanimously approved the decision on Thursday to renew the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) shortly before it was set to expire. The resolution stated that Unifil would begin an "orderly and safe withdrawal" of its 10,800 personnel from Lebanon starting in December 2026.
This will mark the end of a mission that has lasted nearly five decades. Established in 1978 to monitor Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon, Unifil has since patrolled the border between the two countries.
The force has also been responsible for observing and reporting breaches of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, assisting the Lebanese military in maintaining the terms of the truce.
The recent resolution emphasized the goal of ensuring the Lebanese government becomes "the sole provider of security" in the south while urging Israel to pull back its forces. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to occupy several points in the region and has conducted numerous airstrikes, claiming they are necessary to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military capabilities.
The vote followed sustained calls from the Israeli and US governments to terminate Unifil's mission.
After the decision, the US representative to the UN, Dorothy Shea, stated that this would be the final extension. "The abbreviation 'Unifil' includes 'interim' for a reason. It is time for this mission to conclude," she said.
Israel’s UN envoy, Danny Danon, also welcomed the move, calling it a rare positive development from the UN.
Under recent US leadership, the country has aligned more closely with Israel’s stance on Unifil. Israel has long argued that the peacekeeping force has failed to adequately disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon since the 2006 war, effectively providing cover for the group.
During the conflict with Hezbollah, Israeli strikes targeted Unifil positions, injuring peacekeepers. Unifil operates under a mandate that restricts it to monitoring and self-defense, referring any violations to the Lebanese military, which is tasked with disarming Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has also harassed peacekeepers, with supporters blocking patrols, throwing stones at vehicles, and in one instance, physically assaulting a member of the force.
Lebanon has depended on Unifil to help establish a buffer zone with Israel and bolster its under-resourced military in reasserting control over the south. The prime minister, Nawaf Salam, expressed approval of the resolution, stating that it reinforces Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.
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