Hacking Lebanese Politics #12 [Updated]: UNIFIL explained

The U.N. Security Council gave UNIFIL, its peacekeeping force in Lebanon, a little more time. The peacekeepers’ mandate was set to expire on Aug. 31 but has now been extended until the end of 2026, before the forces pack up completely and leave Lebanon by December 2027.

This, however, did not stop another Israeli attack in southern Lebanon.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, UNIFIL said Israeli drones dropped four grenades near peacekeepers who were trying to clear roadblocks blocking access to a U.N. position the day before.

“This is one of the most serious attacks on UNIFIL personnel and assets since the cessation of hostilities agreement last November,” the mission said in a statement.

 Israel (and the U.S.) insist UNIFIL is useless, accusing it of failing to disarm Hezbollah and arguing that coordination with the Lebanese Army is enough. 

Hezbollah, meanwhile, says it supports UNIFIL’s presence but its supporters often accuse the mission of interference, and sometimes even attack its troops, claiming they collaborate with Israel.

 So where do things stand now?

 Let’s break it down.

1. How did different sides react to the renewal?

On Aug. 28, the U.N. Security Council extended UNIFIL’s mandate based on a French proposal, with no changes to its mission.

The force is now expected to leave Lebanon by Dec. 31, 2027 — 49 years after it was first created under U.N. Security Council Resolution 425.

 For Lebanon’s authorities, it was a relief.

Previously on Hacking Lebanese Politics:

Hacking Lebanese Politics #11: What is Kafala, the system behind an unfolding slavery case in Lebanon?

For France, it was a diplomatic win. Paris was the only capital fully committed to pushing the renewal through, despite reservations and even opposition from both the U.S. and Israel.

 A European diplomatic source explained that France’s push was tied to the arrival of a new Lebanese government that wants to reassert state authority in the South. Paris sees UNIFIL as a tool to help in that process.

Lebanon, for its part, would have preferred the mission to continue until Israel completely withdrew from occupied Lebanese land and pledged no more attacks.

But the purpose was never to keep UNIFIL forever, but to support Lebanese forces until they can take full control of southern Lebanon.

Israel continues to criticize the peacekeepers as ineffective and toothless in deterring attacks from Hezbollah.

 The U.S. wasn’t as vocal as Israel but shared similar concerns. Washington was reluctant to give a blank extension, reflecting skepticism about UNIFIL’s effectiveness and alignment with Israel’s position. Still, it didn’t block the French proposal outright.

2. What’s the plan now, and what happens when UNIFIL leaves?

France is expected to focus on helping Lebanese authorities extend their authority in southern Lebanon.

Diplomats are waiting for details of a more concrete plan, but some progress has already been made with the Lebanese Army, including dismantling a tunnel network in southern Lebanon.

 Talks are also underway among Lebanon, France, the U.S. and Israel on how to push Israel to fulfill its obligations under the Nov. 27, 2024 cease-fire. Some progress has been noted, but no timeline yet.

Washington is seen as the only actor with enough leverage over Israel, though wider political issues complicate U.S.-Israeli ties.

For more HLP:

Hacking Lebanese Politics #7: What’s up with the Druze?

Whether UNIFIL’s departure in 2027 will coincide with a resolution of the border dispute is still, however, unclear.

The mission’s exit will also have an economic impact on southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL has long been a major presence.

 It remains important that the U.N.’s footprint doesn’t disappear entirely and that local communities aren’t left worse off. Some U.N.-linked institutions, like the Office of the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), could stay on.

 French officials also consider reforms essential. Lebanese authorities are working on them, and if conditions improve, a donor conference could be possible.

 As for talk of an industrial zone on the southern border that would carry Donald Trump’s name, the idea is under discussion but wasn’t formally included in U.S. Envoy Tom Barrack’s proposal.

France, however, is in touch with all relevant parties about southern Lebanon’s economic future.

 And the risk of another war between Lebanon and Israel? This seems, so far, a scenario no one wants to imagine.

3. When did UNIFIL show up in Lebanon in the first place?

UNIFIL has been around since 1978. Yes, that long.

In 1978, Israel invaded Lebanon after a Palestinian militant attack near Tel Aviv, claiming the attackers were based in Lebanon. The UN Security Council responded with resolutions 425 and 426, creating UNIFIL to stop Israeli attacks, ensure withdrawal, restore peace, and support the Lebanese government. 

Last week's HLP:

Hacking Lebanese Politics #21: Lebanon’s traffic law and roads, explained

Resolution 427 authorized deploying 6,000 troops, mostly from France, the UK, the US, China, and the Soviet Union, with others contributing smaller forces. UNIFIL troops arrived on March 23, 1978, but could only act in self-defense, unable to enforce full Israeli withdrawal or lasting peace.

In 1982, Israel launched a second invasion to destroy the PLO and halt cross-border attacks. UNIFIL’s movement was then restricted by militias and the Israeli army, with its mandate adjusted through several resolutions.

Flash forward to 2006: another war with Israel breaks out after Hezbollah killed three of its soldiers and kidnapped two in hopes of a prisoner swap. To end it, the U.N. passed Resolution 1701 — increasing UNIFIL to 10,000+ troops, with France, Germany, India, Turkey and Ghana making up the bulk, respectively. 

The new mandate? Oversee the cease-fire while coordinating with Lebanon and Israel, aid the Lebanese Army deploy in southern Lebanon and help it demilitarize the area south of the Litani (aka disarm Hezbollah there), as well as assist with border control if asked.