Lebanon’s Prime Minister Salam supports renewing the UNIFIL mandate amidst rising tensions after attacks on UN peacekeepers. Israeli analysts criticize UNIFIL’s effectiveness against Hezbollah, suggesting a need for reassessment of its mandate. A meeting with French officials highlighted Lebanon’s commitment to reconstruction and security efforts, though criticisms continue to question UNIFIL’s operations in the region.
In a developing situation in southern Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam expressed Lebanon’s strong desire to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Salam stated that sustaining the UNIFIL’s operation is vital for enforcing UN Security Council Resolution 1701. He condemned incidents targeting UNIFIL forces, warning they jeopardize stability in southern Lebanon and called for accountability regarding these aggressions.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry echoed these sentiments, condemning a recent assault on a UNIFIL soldier. The Ministry emphasized protecting peacekeeping personnel and the need to ensure accountability under both Lebanese and international laws. This escalation comes on the heels of growing hostilities, highlighted by a clash between local residents and a UNIFIL patrol that entered without a Lebanese Army escort.
A meeting held on June 11 involved the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc, MP Hajj Mohammad Raad, French Presidential Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, and French Ambassador to Lebanon Hervé Magro. They discussed political developments, the ongoing Israeli aggression, and the presence of UNIFIL forces in Lebanon. The discussions also covered France’s efforts to organize a conference aimed at the reconstruction of southern Lebanon and a renewal of UNIFIL’s mission, with Raad reiterating support for the extension of the peacekeeping forces.
Contrasting views emerge from Israel, where analysts have criticized UNIFIL’s effectiveness since its establishment under Resolution 1701. According to Zoe Levornik and Sarit Zehavi from the Alma Center think tank, UNIFIL has failed to prevent Hezbollah’s military entrenchment in southern Lebanon. They posit that the mandate should be revoked and claim that Hezbollah’s growing presence, including weapon caches, poses an immediate threat to northern Israeli communities.
The authors assert that Hezbollah’s operations have continued unchecked, with UNIFIL acting ineffectively during conflicts. They argue that the international force not only failed to safeguard against Hezbollah’s activities but also obstructed the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) operations, even allowing Hezbollah to use its personnel as shields. Such claims paint a stark picture of UNIFIL’s alleged complacency in the region.
Furthermore, there have been reports of UNIFIL forces facing hostility from local residents, particularly when operating without the Lebanese Army’s escort. There have been incidents of peacekeepers being expelled from villages, suggesting a breakdown in relations with some communities. As part of a ceasefire agreement among the US, France, Lebanese Army, and UNIFIL, the Lebanese Army has reportedly boosted its monitoring of southern Lebanon.
Despite UNIFIL being described as a facilitator between the Lebanese Army and the IDF, many assert that crucial communications occur primarily through the United States, rendering UNIFIL increasingly redundant in its current form. Critics maintain that UNIFIL’s stated role of providing humanitarian support and monitoring does not effectively address security needs along the Israel-Lebanon border and question whether a renewal of its mandate will yield any meaningful change.
Experts argue that while UNIFIL has faced numerous opportunities to adapt and address its mission critically, it has consistently failed to act. Concerns linger over whether a renewed mandate with potential improvements could genuinely enhance UNIFIL’s relevance and effectiveness in ensuring security for both Israel and Lebanon.
The situation in southern Lebanon remains tense as Lebanon calls for a renewal of the UNIFIL mandate while Israeli analysts advocate for its revocation due to perceived failure in addressing Hezbollah’s military activities. Lebanese leaders stress the importance of protecting peacekeeping forces, while tensions rise from confrontations between local residents and UNIFIL. The future efficacy of UNIFIL hangs in the balance, as both sides present distinct views on the organization’s role in maintaining stability in the region. Without substantive changes, questions about its relevance linger.
Original Source: www.agcnews.eu
