The first UNIFIL troops arrived in Lebanon for peacekeeping mission along the Blue Line.

In a world often marred by conflict, the United Nations plays a crucial role in maintaining global peace and security. One such vital endeavor is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, universally known as UNIFIL. This robust UN peacekeeping mission, identified in Arabic as قوة الأمم المتحدة المؤقتة في لبنان and in Hebrew as כוח האו"ם הזמני בלבנון, has been a steadfast presence in a volatile region for decades, symbolizing the international community's commitment to stability along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Birth of UNIFIL: A Response to Crisis

The story of UNIFIL began on March 19, 1978, amidst the turbulent backdrop of the 1978 South Lebanon conflict. This period was characterized by a potent Palestinian insurgency in South Lebanon and the wider Lebanese Civil War, creating an intensely unstable environment. Following Israel's invasion of Lebanon just five days prior, the United Nations Security Council swiftly adopted Resolutions 425 and 426. These resolutions were not merely bureaucratic directives; they were urgent calls for action, demanding Israel's complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and aiming to ensure that the legitimate government of Lebanon could reassert its effective authority throughout the affected area, particularly up to its border.

Evolving Mandate in a Volatile Region

The operational landscape for UNIFIL has, by its very nature, been subject to continuous shifts and challenges. Consequently, its mandate, originally established to confirm Israeli withdrawal and restore Lebanese authority, required significant adjustments on two separate occasions. The first major revision came in response to the full-scale Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, profoundly altering the regional dynamics. A second adjustment followed Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, which ushered in a new phase of the mission. However, the most substantial enhancement to UNIFIL's responsibilities occurred in the aftermath of the devastating 2006 Lebanon War. The United Nations Security Council, recognizing the need for a more comprehensive and proactive approach to peacekeeping, expanded UNIFIL's role considerably. Beyond its original duties, the mission was empowered to monitor the cessation of hostilities, a critical function in preventing further escalation. Furthermore, it began to accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they progressively deployed across the entire south of Lebanon, thereby strengthening the national security presence. Crucially, UNIFIL's humanitarian mandate was also extended, enabling it to provide essential assistance and help ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to civilian populations, alongside facilitating the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons to their homes.

UNIFIL Today: A Force for Stability

Today, UNIFIL remains a cornerstone of regional stability, with its mandate regularly renewed on an annual basis by the United Nations Security Council, most recently on August 30, 2021. This ongoing commitment underscores the persistent need for an international presence in South Lebanon. The force itself is a remarkable testament to global cooperation, composed of approximately 10,000 dedicated peacekeepers drawn from 46 contributing nations, all united under the UN flag. Their primary, yet incredibly complex, task is to assist the Lebanese Army in maintaining the security and protection of the country's southern regions. Maintaining such a large-scale international operation requires substantial resources; UNIFIL's funding is approved annually by the General Assembly, with its budget, for instance, amounting to $474 million for the period spanning July 2018 to June 2019.

The Blue Line: A United Nations Demarcation

Central to the work of UNIFIL and the broader efforts to delineate the borders in the region is the "Blue Line." This isn't a traditional, internationally recognized border in the conventional sense, but rather a crucial demarcation line published by the United Nations on June 7, 2000. Its specific purpose was to definitively confirm whether Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanese territory in compliance with UN resolutions. The Blue Line serves as a technical separation, and it has been explicitly described by the UN as "temporary" and "not a border, but a line of withdrawal," reflecting the ongoing complexities and unresolved aspects of the Israel-Lebanon frontier. UNIFIL's presence is instrumental in observing and upholding this line, acting as an impartial third party in a historically contested area.

Securing the Border: The Israel-Lebanon Barrier

Beyond the symbolic and observed demarcation of the Blue Line, a more tangible, physical barrier has been under construction by Israel along its side of the line. By September 2018, Israel had completed approximately 11 kilometers of a concrete Israel-Lebanon barrier, specifically designed to protect Israeli communities from potential infiltration by militants, notably Hezbollah. The ambitious project, intended to span an impressive 130 kilometers (81 miles) along the demarcation line, was originally anticipated to be fully completed by 2020, with an estimated cost of $450 million. This significant engineering undertaking predominantly features a robust concrete wall, further fortified with an intricate topping of steel mesh, advanced sensors, and surveillance cameras to enhance security. In particularly rugged or challenging geographical areas, steel fencing has been strategically utilized as an alternative to the concrete structure, ensuring comprehensive coverage and protection across varied terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions About UNIFIL

What is UNIFIL?
UNIFIL, or the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, is a multinational UN peacekeeping mission deployed in South Lebanon, tasked with ensuring regional stability and supporting the Lebanese government.
Why was UNIFIL established?
It was established on March 19, 1978, by UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, following Israel's invasion of Lebanon. Its initial mandate was to confirm Israeli withdrawal and help restore Lebanese authority in the area.
What is UNIFIL's current mandate?
Following an enhancement in 2006, UNIFIL's mandate includes monitoring the cessation of hostilities, accompanying and supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and extending assistance for humanitarian access and the safe return of displaced persons, in addition to its original duties.
What is the Blue Line?
The Blue Line is a demarcation line published by the United Nations in June 2000. It clarifies the line of Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and is monitored by UNIFIL, explicitly defined as a "line of withdrawal" rather than an official border.
How many peacekeepers are part of UNIFIL?
UNIFIL is comprised of approximately 10,000 peacekeepers from 46 different nations, working collaboratively to fulfill the mission's objectives in South Lebanon.