This backgrounder was written by Lesley Myers, Digital Editor for UN Peacekeeping’s Strategic Communications Section. She specializes in political analysis, strategic planning and peacekeeping impact.
Long-standing tensions between Israel and Lebanon erupted into conflict in October 2023, leading to widespread civilian casualties, displacement and destruction in both countries and heightening the risk of broader regional destabilization. Since a cessation of hostilities agreement was reached in November 2024, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has played a critical role in preventing a resurgence of violence and promoting long-term stability. Yet, as the Security Council prepares to renew the mission’s mandate, questions have emerged about the Mission’s future.
What’s driving tensions?
Since the 1970s, Lebanon’s lack of state control over parts of its territory has enabled non-state armed groups to launch attacks against Israel, and has seen Israel respond with force, including by occupying southern Lebanon from 1982 to 2000. In 2006, after a 34-day war between the Lebanon-based armed group Hizbullah and Israel, Lebanon and Israel committed to a cessation of hostilities through UN Security Council Resolution 1701: Israel agreed to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory behind a “Blue Line” set by the UN, the Lebanese Government committed to restore stability in its south, and both agreed to work towards a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to contentious issues such as border delineation.
In October 2023, hostilities erupted between Israel and Hizbullah following attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on Israel. This set off more than a year of devastating hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces and Hizbullah and other non-state armed groups in Lebanon. A US and French-backed cessation of hostilities was reached last November, but tensions persist, with Israeli forces still present in Lebanon and the Lebanese state yet to exert control over Hizbullah’s weapons.
What is UN peacekeeping doing?
Responsibility lies with Lebanon and Israel to meet their commitments under resolution 1701 and find long-term peace. In the meantime, UNIFIL has helped maintain relative calm along the volatile Blue Line for decades.
As an impartial and longstanding presence in the region, UNIFIL plays a crucial role in preventing disputes from escalating into broader conflict. Its impartial posture and historical and geographic expertise allow UNIFIL to help deconflict incidents that could reverse progress and further destabilize the region. And, critically, it has a high level of acceptance amongst communities and offers an impartial convening platform that no other actor can provide.
UNIFIL is also helping the Lebanese government to deploy its armed forces across the south and ensure the areas is free of non-state armed actors and their weapons and ammunitions caches, helping the Lebanese authorities make progress in upholding their commitments under resolution 1701.
What else is needed?
The international community must urgently invest in the Lebanese Armed Forces to help them achieve the capacity to provide security and stability in the south. As their capabilities increase and the Lebanese Government’s authority is restored, as illegal weapons are removed, as violations of the Blue Line stop, and discussions towards a permanent ceasefire commence, UNIFIL will be able to draw down.
Until then, united support for UNIFIL from the UN Security Council is needed to ensure UNIFIL can continue to serve as an effective and impartial third-party on the ground.
What’s next?
As the Security Council prepares to review UNIFIL’s mandate this August, unified support is essential to safeguard progress and prevent a return to conflict. In a recent op-ed in Newsweek, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix outlines why a strong peacekeeping presence remains vital to regional security.
Until progress on a long-term peace agreement is achieved, a robust UN presence remains critical to protecting civilians and preserving stability.
Background
Tensions between Lebanon and Israel escalated in the early 1970s after Palestinian armed elements moved into south Lebanon and launched attacks against Israel. In response, Israel invaded southern Lebanon in 1978. The UN Security Council called for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and established the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), to oversee that withdrawal and help Lebanon regain authority over its south.
Israel completed its withdrawal in 2000, and in the absence of an agreed border between the two countries, the UN established the “Blue Line”, behind which Israel agreed to keep its forces. UNIFIL was asked by the UN Security Council to remain in place to help secure the area until the Lebanese Armed Forces could do so independently. In 2006 conflict re-emerged when Hizbullah, a Lebanon-based armed group, attacked Israel Defense Forces troops. The ensuing 34-day war was brought to an end under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called on Hizbullah to immediately stop its attacks, Israel to cease all offensive military operations in Lebanon, and on Lebanon to disarm all non-state armed groups in Lebanon. Both Lebanon and Israel agreed to adhere to the resolution while working toward a long-term solution.
Today, amid the rising tensions in the Middle East, UNIFIL continues to monitor the Blue Line and the cessation of hostilities agreement set out in resolution 1701. It works to prevent misunderstandings between Lebanese and Israeli forces from escalating into violence, with significant implications for regional and international security. UNIFIL also supports Lebanese efforts to ensure the area is free of armed groups and unauthorised weapons and re-establish state authority – crucial steps for protecting communities on both sides of the Blue Line and paving the way toward permanent peace.
Ultimately however, reaching durable peace remains the responsibility of Lebanon and Israel. UNIFIL remains ready to support them in these efforts.