UNIFIL's uncertain future worries residents in Southern Lebanon
Beirut, Aug 1
With the current mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon set to expire at the end of 2026, residents in southern Lebanon's border communities are increasingly concerned that any reduction or withdrawal of the peacekeeping mission could affect security, livelihoods and daily life.
Although the UN Security Council has extended UNIFIL's mandate until December 31, 2026, debate over the mission's future beyond that date has continued, prompting growing concern among residents in southern Lebanon, many of whom say the force has become an integral part of daily life.
Established in 1978 under UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, and expanded after the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war under Resolution 1701, UNIFIL has around 10,500 peacekeepers from around 50 troop-contributing countries. Beyond monitoring the cessation of hostilities and maintaining stability along the UN-demarcated Blue Line, the force has undertaken demining operations, provided medical services, and supported environmental and development projects across southern Lebanon.
Residents said the mission also plays an important role in the local economy. Shops, restaurants, and service providers have benefited from the presence of thousands of peacekeepers, while the mission has created direct and indirect employment for many residents.
Decades of interaction have also fostered close social ties between peacekeepers and local communities, Xinhua news agency reported. Claudie Nahra, a translator with UNIFIL, said relations have evolved from formal cooperation into daily interaction. Some ties have developed further into family relationships. George Al-Qays, a resident of Marjeyoun, told Xinhua that around 34 marriages have taken place between UNIFIL personnel and residents, including 22 in Marjeyoun alone.
Beyond its economic and humanitarian contributions, many residents believe UNIFIL contributes to stability in southern Lebanon by monitoring the border and documenting violations.
Southern Lebanon experienced more than a year of cross-border hostilities beginning in 2023 before a ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024. Residents say effective mechanisms remain necessary to prevent a return to conflict.
Lebanon has repeatedly expressed support for maintaining UNIFIL's presence. According to the state-run National News Agency, President Joseph Aoun recently reaffirmed his country's commitment to keeping the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and complete the deployment of the Lebanese army to the internationally recognized border.
UNIFIL said in January that more than 1,800 peacekeepers had left southern Lebanon since early November 2025 following UN budget reductions.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who has followed Middle East geopolitics for years, this is worrying. UNIFIL has been a stabilizing force since 1978. The fact that residents are worried shows how important the mission is beyond just military observation. The economic impact, medical services, and social ties — these are all things that get lost in political debates. I hope the UN Security Council considers the human dimension before making any drastic cuts.
Have to point out the irony here — Lebanon's government keeps saying they want UNIFIL to stay, but they haven't fully implemented Resolution 1701 either. The Lebanese army was supposed to deploy to the border years ago. If they really want stability, they should work on their own capacity rather than depending entirely on international forces. Otherwise, this is just a band-aid solution that could collapse anytime. 🤔
The human stories here are so touching — 34 marriages between peacekeepers and locals! It really shows that at the end of the day, we're all just people trying to live our lives. The economic dependence on UNIFIL is also a double-edged sword. What happens to these communities if the mission pulls out? The UN needs to think about a transition plan that doesn't leave these people high and dry.
As an Indian, I feel proud that our country has always been at the forefront of UN peacekeeping missions. We know the value of these operations better than most. However, I also think the international community needs to be realistic — UNIFIL can't be a permanent solution. The real answer lies in Lebanese-Israeli diplomacy and a comprehensive peace deal. But until that happens, cutting peacekeepers now would be reckless. 2026 is not far away, and the UN must plan carefully.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.