U.N. to End Half-Century Peacekeeping in Lebanon as State Security Expands

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to extend the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, for one final year before beginning a phased withdrawal. The decision, which gives the Lebanese government until the end of 2026 to assume full security control, represents a turning point in one of the longest-running peacekeeping missions in U.N. history.

A Mission Born of Conflict

UNIFIL was first created in 1978, following Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon. Its original mandate was to confirm Israeli withdrawal and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its authority. In the decades that followed, however, the mission’s role grew far more complex.

The Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon in the 1980s, the rise of Hezbollah, and the eruption of the 2006 war all expanded UNIFIL’s responsibilities. After the 2006 conflict, the Security Council gave the mission an unprecedented role in monitoring the ceasefire and assisting the Lebanese Army in maintaining a buffer zone free of unauthorized weapons.

At its height, UNIFIL deployed over 15,000 troops from more than 40 countries, making it one of the most diverse multinational forces ever assembled under the U.N. flag. Peacekeepers patrolled villages, manned checkpoints, and served as an uneasy but vital buffer between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters.

Decades of Fragile Peace

For much of southern Lebanon’s population, UNIFIL became part of daily life. Blue-helmeted troops were a familiar sight, their convoys navigating narrow roads and their bases dotting the landscape from the coast to the rugged inland hills.

While UNIFIL never had the power to disarm Hezbollah, its presence was widely seen as a stabilizing force. The mission reduced the risk of accidental escalation, provided reassurance to civilians, and gave international actors a foothold in a volatile corner of the Middle East.

But critics argued that the mission had become stagnant, unable to enforce its mandate in the face of Hezbollah’s entrenchment and Israel’s continued concerns. By the mid-2010s, even some troop-contributing countries began questioning how long the mission should endure.

The Security Council Debate

The decision to end the mission reflects a delicate compromise. The United States pushed for a shorter timeline, arguing that Lebanon must assume full responsibility for its own territory. European members, including France, pressed for a more gradual exit to prevent instability.

The resolution that passed represents both urgency and caution: a firm end date to nearly five decades of peacekeeping, but with a transition period designed to avoid sudden shocks.

Israel expressed skepticism, warning that Hezbollah continues to expand its military capabilities in defiance of international resolutions. Lebanese officials countered that the national army, though underfunded and stretched thin, is increasingly capable of maintaining order if provided with sufficient international support.

A Fragile Balancing Act

The Lebanese Armed Forces are now expected to fill the vacuum left by departing peacekeepers. International donors have pledged new training, equipment, and funding to help the army expand its reach in the south. Whether those promises will be enough remains uncertain.

For Lebanon, the moment comes at a time of severe economic crisis, political paralysis, and public distrust in state institutions. Many in the south fear that a premature departure of peacekeepers could reignite tensions, while others welcome the symbolic assertion of sovereignty after decades of foreign troops patrolling their towns.

Implications for the Region

The drawdown carries implications beyond Lebanon. For Israel, the departure of peacekeepers raises the question of how to manage its northern border without the buffer of an international force. For Hezbollah, it presents both an opportunity to assert greater influence and a potential test of whether it will provoke conflict without the restraining presence of UNIFIL.

For the United Nations, the decision underscores an ongoing shift in peacekeeping philosophy. Once seen as open-ended guardians of fragile ceasefires, peacekeeping missions are increasingly expected to hand authority back to national governments, even in imperfect circumstances.

The End of an Era

UNIFIL’s legacy will be debated for years. Supporters argue that it provided the space for Lebanon to rebuild after war and prevented countless flare-ups from spiraling into larger conflicts. Critics contend that its inability to disarm Hezbollah or secure the border undercut its credibility.

What is clear is that a mission that began in the Cold War era, that endured invasions, occupations, and regional wars, is finally drawing to a close.

As the blue helmets begin their withdrawal, the question that has haunted Lebanon for decades remains unresolved: can the country achieve lasting peace and stability on its own, or will the absence of international troops reopen old wounds along its most fragile frontier?

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