What It Is About
The radical Shiite terror group Hezbollah has intensified its conflicts with Israel, highlighting the shortcomings of UN Security Resolution 1701 which was intended to disarm Hezbollah and ensure peace.
Why It Matters
This escalating conflict highlights UNIFIL’s inability to enforce peace in Southern Lebanon. Iran-backed Hezbollah’s growing military capabilities threaten regional stability and put Israeli communities at risk. Israel’s commitment to national defense stands in stark contrast to Hezbollah’s continued violations.
Backdrop
UN Security Resolution 1701, passed in 2006, aimed to create an area in Southern Lebanon free from armed groups other than the Lebanese army and UNIFIL. However, Hezbollah has managed to amass an estimated 150,000 missiles since then, undermining the resolution’s goals.
Hezbollah’s Threat
After recent attacks involving hundreds of missiles and rockets launched at Israel, accompanied by Israeli retaliatory airstrikes, tensions have highly escalated. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s aggressive posturing further indicates an imminent conflict.
Israeli Perspective
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz emphasized the nation’s readiness to dismantle Hezbollah thoroughly if provoked. Former military liaison, Jonathan Conricus, labeled Resolution 1701 a “complete failure,” stating it failed to curb Hezbollah’s armament.
UNIFIL’s Ineffectiveness
Despite UNIFIL’s mandate to enforce peace, their inability to effectively intervene against Hezbollah has only emboldened the terror group. Former peacekeepers have highlighted that UNIFIL routinely avoids confrontation with Hezbollah, thus failing in its chief responsibility.
Potential for War
The prospect of another Israel-Lebanon conflict looms, exacerbated by Hezbollah’s advancements and strategic positioning within clear sight of Israeli borders. Analysts underscore that these threats are realistically contained only through Israel’s own military readiness.
International Stance
Amidst these tensions, international voices like UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres call for de-escalation. Yet, tangible action to secure lasting peace remains with regional entities, and diplomatic initiatives by figures like President Biden’s Special Envoy, Amos Hochstein, continue.
Conclusion
While the international community acknowledges the flawed execution of UNIFIL’s peacekeeping duty, it is critical that proactive measures be adopted, prioritizing Israel’s security and broader regional stability over patently ineffective UN interventions.
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This story was first published on foxnews.com.