UN Extends Lebanon Peacekeeping Mandate Amid High Tensions

The United Nations Security Council has renewed the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year, urging a “de-escalation” amid the recent spike in violence between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.

The resolution, adopted unanimously, extends the UNIFIL mandate until August 31, 2025. This peacekeeping force, consisting of over 10,000 personnel, has been stationed in Lebanon since 1978, with its mission expanding following the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Tensions have flared again since the beginning of Israel’s war in Gaza in October, with Hezbollah showing support for the Palestinians and Hamas through operations in southern Lebanon, leading to daily skirmishes with Israeli forces.

Hezbollah escalated the situation on Sunday with a significant drone and rocket attack against Israel, in retaliation for the killing of its military leader, Fouad Shukur, in an Israeli strike near Beirut on July 30. Israel responded with airstrikes in Lebanon, claiming to have destroyed numerous Hezbollah rocket launchers and thwarted a major attack.

The U.N. Security Council resolution called for “all relevant actors” to take “immediate measures towards de-escalation” to restore calm and stability along the Blue Line, the border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had previously supported Lebanon’s request to extend UNIFIL’s mandate without changes. While the mandate remains the same, the resolution “encourages the Secretary-General to ensure that UNIFIL is prepared to adapt its activities to support de-escalation,” within its established mandate and rules of engagement.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the extension, stating it was “necessary” for maintaining stability in southern Lebanon. He affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to cooperating closely with UNIFIL to address threats to stability.

However, Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, criticized UNIFIL’s effectiveness, calling it a “failure” for not achieving its objectives and accusing the Security Council of ignoring Hezbollah’s growing military presence.