How UNIFIL is making an effort to maintain peace in Lebanon?

Almost 20 years have passed, and the United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have failed to bring peace and resolve the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah continuously strikes ‌Israel’s border with different weapons and bombs. Despite the ceasefire agreement, the tension between these two nations becomes intense, and the situation becomes fragile with time. 

According to this agreement, Israel should withdraw its troops within 60 days. At the same time, the Lebanese army is expected to secure the border and prevent Hezbollah from returning. International committees and UN peacekeepers keep an eye on the actions of both nations and whether they follow the terms of the agreement or not.

However, UN peacekeepers and the Lebanese military are making a lot of efforts and have failed to stop ‌Hezbollah activities. Hezbollah continues to fulfill its action and strikes the border with bombs, while peacekeepers often stay in their camps due to threats from both sides.

Israel has shown that UN peacekeepers are not working honestly and insists it will take strict actions against Hezbollah. This highlights ‌how difficult it is to maintain peace in this long-lasting and tense war. 

After the establishment of ‌UNIFIL in 1978, it faced many challenges. The purpose of ‌ UNIFIL’s creation was to monitor Israel’s removal from southern Lebanon. It also has an objective to help the Lebanese government maintain peace and security after the attack that resulted in Israel’s incursion. 

In 1982, the situation became very tense when Israel got back to Lebanon and grew more complicated after the war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006. 

Furthermore, ‌United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 expanded ‌UNIFIL duties. Now it has to see ‌Hezbollah activities and continue to help the Lebanese government. However, the Lebanese government does not have enough resources to tackle the challenge posed by Hezbollah. Also, the resolution does not provide enough tools to enforce peace. 

UNIFIL conducts many patrols but often faces problems. Its peacekeepers are blocked from entering certain areas and cannot act without permission from Lebanese authorities. This makes it very difficult for the organization to handle violations and maintain peace in the specific region. 

There are many challenges faced by the United Nations peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon. These difficulties mostly came from Hezbollah and the local people. They are spying for Israel, and that has resulted in many severe attacks. Back in 2010, one of the civilians interpreted the UN efforts and said it damaged equipment and was stealing weapons. 

In another case of the explosion in a village, UN peacekeepers failed to find the truth because all proofs were removed before the investigation started. In this way, they face difficulties from the local people. 

Despite all of these difficulties, UN peacekeepers continued their help to prevent fights between Israel and Lebanon. However, tension has increased due to Hezbollah’s growing weapons. 

UN expert Richard Gowan pointed out that Hezbollah works closely with UN peacekeepers.

A report from July 2023 shows ongoing threats like rocket fire and harassment. Peacekeepers also faced blocked access to some sites linked to Hezbollah. These challenges show how difficult it is to keep peace in the region.

According to UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti, the mission is constrained by its mandate, which means it can only take action within the parameters of its designated duty. The Security Council makes decisions about what to do next.

Despite these limitations, UNIFIL has published important discoveries. It found weapons in 2006, including rocket launchers made by Katyusha, which the Lebanese military subsequently seized. The investigation verified the presence of five tunnels between 2018 and 2019, including three that penetrated Israel. However, difficulties arose when Lebanese officials refused to permit inspections.

A further source of friction has been Israel’s 22,355 reported breaches of Lebanese airspace between 2007 and 2022. Citing UNIFIL’s limited capacity to carry out its duty and provide reports on Hezbollah’s rearmament, Israel asserts that these flights are essential for intelligence.

“You throw a man in the water, then blame him for being wet,”

said former Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, expressing dissatisfaction with UNIFIL’s limited involvement.