What is UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping force on the Israel-Lebanon border?

CNN
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Last week, the United Nations said the Israeli military fired on its peacekeepers, forcibly entered its base, halted logistics and injured more than a dozen of its troops in southern Lebanon.

Israel’s attacks on the peacekeeping mission, which has operated in Lebanon for more than 45 years, have been widely condemned by the international community. UNIFIL – the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon – called the violations “shocking”.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of operating in areas near UNIFIL posts. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that UN peacekeepers in Lebanon were “in danger.” He expressed regret that some U.N. peacekeepers had been injured last week and called on U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to withdraw peacekeepers “immediately.”

Guterres said attacks on peacekeepers “could constitute a war crime” and that “UNIFIL and its premises must never be targeted.” The UN has said its troops remain in Lebanon despite the attacks.

Here’s what you should know:

UNIFIL’s Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly attacked by Israel.

On Wednesday, UNIFIL said IDF soldiers “deliberately fired on and disabled a UN position in Labbouneh.”

Two peacekeepers were injured Thursday after an IDF tank fired at a lookout tower at UNIFIL headquarters, hitting it directly and causing them to fall.

On Friday, two UNIFIL troops were injured after two explosions occurred near an observation tower. The IDF said it was responding to what it said was an “imminent threat” against it, adding that it had ordered UNIFIL personnel to relocate.

Later on Friday, a peacekeeper was shot dead in Naquora amid “military activities,” UNIFIL said. The UN buildings in Ramyah suffered “significant damage” due to explosions from nearby shelling.

On Saturday, UNIFIL said IDF soldiers stopped a key UNIFIL logistics movement near Meiss ej Jebel.

And early Sunday, UNIFIL said the IDF had violated international law by driving its tanks back to its post in Ramyah, forcibly entering the position and demanding that the base turn off its lights. The IDF later said one of its tanks had returned to the post because it was trying to evacuate soldiers wounded by an anti-tank missile.

Israel’s actions were condemned by several of its allies, including France and Britain, who said they were “appalled” by reports that Israel deliberately attacked UN bases last week.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established by the UN Security Council following Israel’s first invasion of southern Lebanon in 1978.

Its mission was to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the country, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the region.

In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon for the second time and subsequently established a security zone within the country that remained in place until its withdrawal in 2000.

In 2000, UNIFIL established the Blue Line – a 120-kilometer area along southern Lebanon to ensure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. It acts as the de facto border between the two countries, as there is an ongoing border dispute between Lebanon and Israel.

UNIFIL troops are tasked with monitoring border violations and securing the area, which includes Hezbollah strongholds.

Although UNIFIL is a peacekeeping mission, troops may use force in certain circumstances, including in self-defense, to protect civilians from the imminent threat of violence and to protect UN personnel facilities and equipment.

UNIFIL’s mandate is renewed annually by the UN Security Council at the request of Lebanon. The Security Council most recently extended the mandate until August 31, 2025.

The mission consists of more than 10,000 personnel from 50 countries, most of whom are troops.

Indonesia, Italy, India, Nepal, Ghana and Malaysia provide the most troops. Spain, China, Ireland and France are also well represented. Some countries contribute only one UNIFIL force, such as the United Kingdom, Peru and Nigeria.

The peacekeepers operate in a 410 square mile area between the Blue Line and the Litani River in southern Lebanon. They occupy 50 positions, the UNIFIL headquarters is in Naqoura in the southwest of the country.