Urge for the renewal of Unifil's mission in southern Lebanon at the United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) was established in 1978, following Israel's attack on Lebanon and the occupation of southern territory. With a current strength of 10,500 troops from 47 countries, Unifil is deployed along the border of Lebanon and Israel, providing a crucial buffer zone. Ireland, the largest contributor, has 340 peacekeepers stationed with Unifil.
Unifil's initial force consisted of 4,000 troops and has been expanded as circumstances demanded. Since its inception, Unifil has weathered numerous challenges, including the 18-year campaign by Hizbullah that drove Israeli forces from Lebanon in 2000 and the unrest during Lebanon's 1975-90 civil war.
However, the peacekeeping mission has not been without loss. Pte Sean Rooney, an Irish peacekeeper, was the most recent fatality, killed in a shooting incident in 202x. The truce that ended fighting between Israel and Hizbullah in November 2023 called for total evacuation, but Israel continues to occupy five strategic sites in south Lebanon and conduct near-daily air strikes across the country.
Since the truce, more than 4,000 Lebanese people, the majority Hizbullah fighters, and 87 security forces personnel have been killed. Additionally, 46 Israeli civilians have also lost their lives.
As the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote on the renewal of Unifil's mandate by Monday, August 25th, opposition to the renewal has been expressed by Israel and the US. The French draft resolution proposes an extension of Unifil's mandate until August 31st, 2026, and maintains the council's intention to work on a withdrawal of Unifil, with the aim of making the government of Lebanon the sole provider of security in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, has urged the United Nations Security Council to renew the mandate of the peacekeeping force Unifil, citing the continued need for protection and humanitarian aid in the south. The country's influence on the position of the United States regarding the extension of the UN peacekeeping mission has been significant.
Ireland, having provided 30,000 troops to Unifil throughout its operation, has suffered 48 fatalities. Despite these losses, the Irish government continues to support the peacekeeping mission, recognising its importance in maintaining stability in the region.
As the vote on Unifil's mandate renewal approaches, the future of the peacekeeping force remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: Unifil has played a crucial role in maintaining peace and providing humanitarian aid in a region plagued by conflict for decades.
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