A UNIFIL patrol came under fire near Wadi Jilo in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. No peacekeepers were injured in the incident.
The mission confirmed that no injuries were sustained among the peacekeeping personnel.
UNIFIL urged authorities to identify those responsible for the assault and ensure they are held accountable, while also calling for measures to prevent similar attacks from recurring.
UNIFIL Serves as a Buffer Force Since 1978
UNIFIL has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon since 1978, serving as a buffer force between Lebanon and Israel. Its operations are guided by UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in August 2006 following the war between Israel and Hezbollah. That resolution mandated a cessation of hostilities and sought to increase the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL to restore stability to the region.
Since the ceasefire that concluded the conflict in November 2024, the mission has supported the Lebanese military in its efforts to implement a plan for disarming Hezbollah. Despite a ceasefire declaration in June, Israel has continued to conduct raids and demolition operations in southern Lebanon, where it occupies a border strip approximately ten kilometers deep, while the Lebanese military has not yet completed its deployment across the entire region.
The Mission Concludes and Withdraws by 2027
The mission’s mandate is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, with the UN Security Council having decided to end the force’s tenure by December 31, 2026. Consequently, the force will cease its activities on January 1, 2027, and begin withdrawing its personnel, who number about 7,500 from nearly 50 countries.
International officials have expressed concern regarding the transition period following the mission’s departure. During a meeting in Paris, Group of Seven foreign ministers discussed the necessity of avoiding a security vacuum in southern Lebanon.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that there is a broad consensus on the need to move toward a new security structure for the area, noting that the G7 meetings provided an opportunity to advance discussions on this file.
Legal Obligations for Peacekeepers
The UN force emphasized that all parties are bound by international law to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times. In its statement, the agency noted:
UNIFIL reaffirmed the obligation imposed by international law on all parties to ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property at all times.
The agency further stated that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers constitute a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and international humanitarian law. UNIFIL reiterated that peacekeepers must be allowed to perform their duties without being subjected to threats or attacks. Previous violence against the force includes an incident in April that resulted in the death of a French soldier and the injury of three others.
“This is just one of a number of recent incidents that have jeopardized the safety [and] security of peacekeepers,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.