ALBAWABA- On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously voted to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stability along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel.
Drone and missile attack on northern Israel during visit of Israeli and American military chiefsThis decision comes amid heightened tensions and almost daily clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli occupation forces, particularly since the escalation of the Gaza conflict in October 2023.
The UNSC strongly urged all parties to de-escalate and restore calm, stressing the need for full respect of the Blue Line and a complete cessation of hostilities.
Although UNIFIL's mandate remains unchanged, the resolution encourages the U.N. Secretary-General to ensure that the mission is prepared to adjust its activities to support de-escalation, when needed.
Despite the unanimous vote, Israel’s newly appointed U.N. Ambassador, Danny Danon, criticized the resolution, arguing that UNIFIL has failed to meet its objectives.
He cited the rocket attack in Majdal Shams in July, which killed 12 children, as a direct result of the failure of both UNIFIL and the Lebanese government to fully implement previous UNSC resolutions.
During the session, Danon displayed maps highlighting Hezbollah's rocket launch sites near UNIFIL's operational areas, questioning the force's ability to maintain peace.
He expressed Israel's frustration with the resolution's failure to mention Hezbollah by name and warned that Israel would take further action if diplomacy did not yield results.
Danon also called on Lebanon to confront Hezbollah or risk being dragged into greater conflict. He urged the international community to enforce UNSC Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war and mandated Hezbollah's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
In contrast, Lebanon expressed gratitude for the UNSC's decision. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati praised the Security Council's efforts and specifically thanked France for helping reach a consensus.
Mikati emphasized that renewing UNIFIL's mandate is vital for maintaining stability in southern Lebanon and reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to working closely with the U.N. force.
Lebanese officials, including caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, also met with U.S. and French ambassadors to discuss points related to the renewal.
Though no changes were made to Article 16 of the resolution, which restricts UNIFIL's movements without the Lebanese Army's permission, Lebanon welcomed the resolution's approval.
