In Jerusalem, the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which was established to curb Hezbollah’s activities post-2006 war, is under scrutiny. As the Trump administration faces an upcoming vote at the U.N. Security Council regarding the mandate’s continuation, American and Israeli experts are calling for its dissolution. They argue that UNIFIL has failed its mission, notably in preventing Hezbollah from rearming, allowing the group to evolve into a formidable military force. David Friedman, a former U.S. Ambassador, highlighted that despite its intended purpose, UNIFIL has not succeeded in securing stability in Lebanon.
Following the Second Lebanon War, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 was passed to outline UNIFIL’s role alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in obstructing Hezbollah’s military ambitions. However, since the mandate was implemented, reports indicate that UNIFIL soldiers have been ineffective in halting Hezbollah’s military expansion. The situation escalated in October 2023 when Hezbollah, supported by Iran, attacked Israel, marking a significant threat to regional stability. Israeli representatives have criticized UNIFIL for its inability to enforce its mandate, with alarming reports emerging of Hezbollah’s military positions established close to Israel’s borders.
Amidst calls for re-evaluation, Israel has yet to formally state its intent to discontinue the UNIFIL mandate. Insights from Israel’s Mission to the U.N. suggest that an evaluation is ongoing. A representative from the U.S. State Department indicated that no decisions have been finalized regarding a potential vote against the mandate’s renewal. Analysts from the Israel Alma Research and Education Center have expressed skepticism about UNIFIL’s effectiveness in maintaining security, suggesting that renewing its mandate would not yield necessary improvements.
In defense of UNIFIL, spokesperson Andrea Teneti emphasized the mission’s support for the LAF and its role in maintaining stability in a challenging environment. He argued that the LAF’s capacity-building efforts, aided by UNIFIL, are crucial for establishing long-term security. While acknowledging ongoing violence and instability, Teneti stated that the situation has improved notably due to joint efforts between the LAF and UNIFIL, including the recovery of ammunition caches previously utilized by Hezbollah.
Conversely, Sarit Zehavi, an Israeli researcher and resident of northern Israel, challenged UNIFIL’s claims of effectiveness. Through firsthand experience with the repercussions of Hezbollah’s actions, she argued that the disarmament of Hezbollah remains the primary goal that UNIFIL has failed to achieve. Moreover, Zehavi expressed skepticism about UNIFIL’s track record, questioning the absence of concrete evidence of disarmament actions and emphasizing a perceived lack of accountability in its reporting.
Further complicating matters, reports suggest that pro-Hezbollah elements within the LAF pose significant challenges to UNIFIL’s efficacy. Investigations into intelligence breaches within the LAF, implicating Hezbollah, raise questions about the integrity of the forces that UNIFIL is expected to support. As debates persist over the future of UNIFIL, the U.S. National Security Council and White House have yet to respond to pressing inquiries regarding the evolving security dynamics in the region, highlighting the complexity of the situation and the potential implications of the mandate’s fate.
