UN peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon have decided to maintain their positions despite warnings from the Israeli Defense Forces to move, as stated by a spokesperson for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the region. Andrea Tenenti of UNIFIL, the interim force in Lebanon, highlighted that a “unanimous” decision was reached by the 50 countries contributing troops and the Security Council for the peacekeepers to stay put. This decision is in line with their mission to monitor the conflict and ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in need.
The situation has escalated recently with the Israeli Defense Forces targeting UN positions, putting the safety of peacekeepers at risk. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has been launching rockets from near these positions towards Israel, further endangering the peacekeepers. Earlier this month, an Israeli tank directly fired on the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, injuring two Indonesian peacekeepers and causing damage. Amidst this turmoil, a German navy ship part of UNIFIL took down a drone of unknown origin.
The deteriorating security situation due to the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces has led UNIFIL to temporarily halt most of its patrols near the “Blue Line” boundary along the Lebanon-Israel border. This increased threat has forced peacekeepers to seek refuge in shelters for extended periods to ensure their safety, with hundreds of trajectories crossing the Blue Line daily. Despite demands from the Israeli Defense Forces to relocate, UNIFIL remains steadfast, maintaining 29 positions within close proximity to the Blue Line.
UNIFIL spokesperson Tenenti emphasised that while self-defence is an option, peacekeepers are cautious not to escalate tensions and get involved in the conflict. The UN migration agency has reported nearly 800,000 internally displaced persons in Lebanon, with the majority coming from areas under UNIFIL’s jurisdiction. Israel has criticised UNIFIL for being ineffective in curbing Hezbollah’s military activities, claiming that the armed group has established military infrastructure near peacekeeper bases.
UNIFIL operates within the constraints of a Security Council resolution that limits their authority to search private property, homes, or disarm Hezbollah. Despite these limitations, the mission continues to report suspicious activities to the Security Council, including recent claims of secret tunnels in the region. The situation remains tense as UN peacekeepers uphold their positions in southern Lebanon, prioritising the safety of civilians and their personnel amidst the ongoing conflict.