What it is about:
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon for another year. This move comes amidst escalating tensions and growing attacks between the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon and Israeli forces.
Why it matters:
The resolution emphasizes the importance of restoring calm, restraint, and stability along the UN-drawn boundary between Israel and Lebanon. The Council warned that continued escalation could lead to a widespread conflict that would destabilize the region further.
The backdrop:
Originally created to oversee Israel’s withdrawal from Southern Lebanon post the 1978 conflict, the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) was expanded after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. The mission’s overarching goal has been to help the Lebanese military extend its authority into the country’s south and ensure peace and stability along the border.
An ongoing struggle:
The peacekeeping mandate has seen repeated renewals. Critics, however, question its effectiveness as hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue. While Hezbollah’s supporters accuse UNIFIL of collusion with Israel, Israel charges Hezbollah with impeding UN peacekeepers from fulfilling their mandate effectively.
Recent confrontations:
Hezbollah-led forces have conducted near-daily attacks on Israeli communities and military posts along the border since October 8, citing support for Gaza during the ongoing war. These attacks have tragically resulted in 26 civilian casualties in Israel and the deaths of 20 IDF soldiers and reservists. Attacks from Syria have also occurred, though without injuries on the Israeli side.
The toll:
Hezbollah has named 431 of its members as killed by Israeli forces during these skirmishes, with casualties reported both in Lebanon and Syria. Additional fatalities include 76 operatives from other terror groups, one Lebanese soldier, and dozens of civilians.
Dangers faced:
UNIFIL personnel have not been immune to the violence. Earlier this month, an explosion injured three peacekeepers. This incident underscores the perils peacekeepers face while trying to maintain stability in this volatile environment.
Image caption: Smoke billows following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese village of Adaisseh near the border with Israel on August 28, 2024. (Rabih DAHER / AFP)
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.