Council to Vote on Extending UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on Wednesday to potentially extend the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon for another year. This resolution also aims to curb the intensifying skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

Over the recent weekend, both Israel and Hezbollah briefly engaged in significant cross-border hostilities along the U.N.-defined Blue Line that separates Israel and Lebanon. Despite the temporary retreat by both parties, the longstanding conflict remains unresolved amid ongoing regional tensions spurred by the Gaza war.

The proposed resolution, crafted by France, underscores the necessity of fully enacting a 2006 resolution which called for a halt to hostilities between the two factions. It highlights the severe risks of escalation that could lead to a broader conflict.

If approved in the Wednesday morning vote, this resolution would prolong the UNIFIL peacekeeping force’s mandate until August 31, 2025. UNIFIL was initially established to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli troops following their 1978 invasion of southern Lebanon.

Following the 2006 conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, the Security Council broadened UNIFIL’s duties. The mission was expanded to assist Lebanese forces in asserting control over southern Lebanon for the first time in many years. Despite these efforts, a complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah has yet to be achieved.

The upcoming resolution calls on all relevant parties to adopt immediate steps toward de-escalation, aiming to restore peace, restraint, and stability along the Blue Line.