United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UniFil) was one of the most long -lived peace missions in UN history
In a decision that is considered a political victory for Israel, the UN Security Council determined on Thursday (28) the end of the United Nations Interim Force operations in Lebanon (UniFil), one of the most long-lived peace missions in the history of the organization in 2026.
Created in 1978 after the invasion of Lebanon by Israel in the context of the Lebanese civil war and the performance of Palestinian militias in the south of the country, Unifil aims to ensure that the region’s armed actors respect the so -called Blue Line, UN demarcation to separate territories from both countries, but that is not officially a border.
In recent years, in the context of conflicts in the Middle East, UniFil troops have suffered attacks from Tel Aviv’s Armed Forces and have gained projection worldwide. In October last year, for example, an Israeli tank even invaded a mission base in Lebanese territory, in a widely criticized action by the international community. Several soldiers were injured at the time.
At a meeting on Thursday, the UN Security Council decided to extend until the end of 2026 the mandate of Unifil. But the resolution unanimously approved that this will be the last renewal of the mission, which will begin, from December 31, 2026, a gradual withdrawal process, scheduled to last one year, in coordination with the Lebanese government. The objective is that at the end of this period, the security of the region is exclusively under the responsibility of Lebanese state forces.
The text was prepared by France and was supported by the United States after negotiations. UN interim ambassador Dorothy Shea said security in Lebanon has changed significantly over the past year and has been time for the country to take on greater responsibilities. According to her, this will be the last time Washington will support a extension of Unifil’s actions.
The mission gained new attributions in 2006 after the one month’s war between Israel and Hezbollah. The new functions have allowed the so -called blue helmets, as Unifil soldiers are known to support the Lebanese Army in operations to keep the southern region of Lebanon free of weapons or combatants other than state forces.
For Israel, however, UniFil failed in its mission. According to Tel Aviv, Hezbollah remained controlling the area, which posed a risk to Israeli safety.
Shortly after the Voting of the Security Council, the Israeli Ambassador in the UN, Danny Danon, said the decision was agreed, as the presence of the Peace Force allowed Hezbollah to consolidate itself as a regional threat.
Hezbollah is an ally of the Hamas terrorist group. And after the beginning of the war between Israel and the Palestinian faction in the Gaza Strip on 7 October 2023, UniFil said its soldiers were the target of attacks on Israeli actions in Lebanese territory.
In November, the US mediated a truce between Israel and Lebanon after more than a year of clashes motivated by the war in Gaza. Now Washington tries to articulate a plan for the gradual disarmament of Hezbollah, linked to the gradual removal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
The project also provides for the creation of an economic development zone in the south of the country, supported by the US and Gulf countries, to reduce the group’s financial dependence on Iran.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam greeted the mission’s extension and said the Resolution reiterates the request for Israel to withdraw from five areas still occupied in Lebanese territory. He also stated that the text reinforces the need for the state to consolidate its authority throughout the country.
With almost 50 years of operation, Unifil is one of the longest -lived peace missions in the history of the United Nations. Between its creation and June 30 this year, 339 Force soldiers were killed in clashes in the region. Its budget is about $ 474 million a year, or around $ 2.5 billion.
Blue helmets can only make use of force in self -defense or a restricted series of hypotheses, such as: preventing your facilities from being used for “hostile activities”; Protect UN civilians, rescuers and employees; Ensure the freedom to come and go from the population of the region; and react to violent attempts to prevent the mission from fulfilling his mandate.
