Lebanon–Israel–US standoff grows over UN peacekeeping force

Tensions are mounting over the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as Israel is pushing for its withdrawal while Beirut is insisting on the renewal of its mandate.

The United States has also been drawn into the centre of the negotiations ahead of a UN Security Council vote later this month, with reports suggesting the Trump administration is closer to the Israeli position.

According to Israel Hayom, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Israel wants UNIFIL’s operations terminated.

He criticised the mission’s 47-year presence as "ineffective", claiming it had failed to enforce UN resolutions, particularly the disarmament of Hezbollah after the 2006 war.

Sa’ar’s intervention comes as the Security Council began discussions on renewing UNIFIL’s mandate, due to expire at the end of August. Israel has proposed a six- to twelve-month extension to organise an orderly withdrawal, after which the mission would cease, according to Israeli media reports.

Sa’ar argued the interim period would allow the Lebanese army to take over security responsibilities in the south. At the same time, UNIFIL would focus on clearing mines, training forces, and coordinating its departure.

He claimed Hezbollah had been weakened by the recent war and said the “historic opportunity” should be used to restore Lebanese sovereignty and disarm the group. He also accused the mission of presenting a distorted picture to the Security Council.

During previous conflicts with Lebanon, Israel routinely attacked UNIFIL positions causing casualties among UN forces and civilians sheltering at UN bases.

However in Beirut, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told The New Arab's Arabic sister edition Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Lebanon backs the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate, noting that “most Security Council members support an extension, but we await the US position", noting that Washington had previously cut 25% of the mission’s funding.

Lebanon is asking for a one-year renewal with the same mandate, though new responsibilities were added last November linked to security arrangements and the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

President Joseph Aoun also reiterated Lebanon’s stance on Tuesday, saying: “Lebanon remains committed to the continued presence of international forces in the south for as long as needed to implement Resolution 1701 and to complete army deployment to the border.”

During a meeting with UNIFIL Commander Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro at Baabda Palace, Aoun underlined the need for cooperation “between the army, UNIFIL, and the residents of southern towns and villages.”

In September 2024, Israel launched a major attack on southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah and civilian areas in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley and Beirut's southern suburbs, following months of sporadic cross-border exchanges that began when Hezbollah attacked Israeli military targets in solidarity with Hamas after October 7, 2023.

This escalated into a full-scale invasion on October 1, 2024, after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, dismantled much of Hezbollah’s infrastructure, and severely degraded its capabilities.

The conflict ended with a ceasefire agreement on November 26, mandating Hezbollah’s withdrawal to positions north of the Litani River and the deployment of 5,000 Lebanese troops.

However, Israeli forces have retained five positions in southern Lebanon beyond the agreement’s timeframe, and is still holding Lebanese prisoners of war.

It has also killed and injured hundreds of people in attacks in violation of the ceasefire.

Security Council begins deliberations on UNIFIL

The United Nations Security Council began to debate Monday a resolution drafted by France to extend the UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon for a year with the ultimate aim to withdraw it.

The French text would "extend the mandate of UNIFIL until August 31, 2026" but "indicates its intention to work on a withdrawal of UNIFIL."

That would be on the condition that Lebanon's government was the "sole provider of security in southern Lebanon... and that the parties agree on a comprehensive political arrangement."

Under a truce that ended the recent war between Israel and Lebanon, Beirut's army has been deploying in south Lebanon and dismantling Hezbollah's infrastructure there.

Lebanon has been grappling with the thorny issue of disarming the Iran-backed group, with the cabinet this month tasking the army with developing a plan to do so by the end of the year. Hezbollah, however, has pushed back and rejected this.

The draft resolution under discussion also "calls for enhanced diplomatic efforts to resolve any dispute or reservation pertaining to the international border between Lebanon and Israel."

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric underlined UNIFIL’s “crucial role” during a daily press briefing in New York, telling Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the mission was vital not only for monitoring and reporting, but also for implementing Security Council Resolution 1701.

“UNIFIL has always represented stability along the Blue Line,” Dujarric said, noting that the force continues to support the Lebanese army in clearing unauthorised weapons caches and infrastructure, and has trained Lebanese soldiers in tactical communications.

He added that UNIFIL also monitors Israeli military activities in its area of operations. The Security Council is expected to vote by the end of August on renewing the mission’s mandate. As in previous years, debate has surrounded the renewal, though in the past the focus was on UNIFIL’s structure, tasks, and freedom of movement.

It was unclear if the draft text has backing from Washington, which wields a veto on the Council.

A US State Department spokesman said "we don't comment on ongoing UN Security Council negotiations," as talks continued on the fate of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed since 1978 to separate Lebanon and Israel.

Asked about reports of US pressure for only a final mandate, Dujarric said: “It is never useful for the Secretary-General to comment on media leaks while negotiations are under way.” He repeated his praise for the “vital work” of UNIFIL and its role in implementing Resolution 1701.

Russia, however, signalled a different stance. Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed ahead of the closed-door consultations that Moscow strongly supports renewing the mission.

“We back our Lebanese brothers and sisters, and we take into account, first and foremost, what they want from the mission,” he said.

“We believe it plays an extremely important role and should be preserved, perhaps adapted to certain interests. But above all, the interests of the Lebanese host state must be respected.” 

All eyes on US mediation

On Monday, US envoys Thomas Barrack and Morgan Ortagus arrived in Beirut for high-level talks with Lebanese leaders.

Their discussions focused on UNIFIL’s future and the US proposal for resolving the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, justified by Tel Aviv on the grounds that Lebanon has yet to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Barrack said progress was expected soon, noting that Lebanon had already acted and it was now “Israel’s turn to respond.”

President Aoun told the envoys that Lebanon’s priorities were mutual commitment to the agreement, greater international backing for the Lebanese army, and reconstruction in areas struck by Israeli attacks.

Beirut is pressing Washington to secure Israeli compliance with the ceasefire proposal, withdraw from the five occupied southern positions, and release Lebanese detainees.

Lebanese officials described the US visit as “positive,” but said results were needed. Follow-up communication is planned, with another visit possible.

Meanwhile, Israeli military activity in Lebanon has continued. A drone strike in Khiam on Monday injured four Syrians, and warplanes flew at low altitude over the south and the Beqaa Valley on Tuesday. 

Commenting on Barrack's visit, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Lebanon had no new offer and wants Barrack to next urge Israel to commit to the US-drafted paper. The proposal, already accepted by Lebanon, sets out 11 goals including a sustained ceasefire and a Lebanese state monopoly on arms.

“If Israel commits, it must implement the agreement, which means a cessation of hostilities; if it does not, the [agreement] becomes worthless,” Mitri said. He added that an Israeli endorsement of the proposal would in effect guarantee a halt to hostilities.

Mitri stressed that state arms monopoly remains a domestic matter, rejecting external pressure. He welcomed national dialogue on the issue but insisted substance must prevail over process.

The Lebanese army is preparing a report on arms control, due before the next Cabinet meeting on 2 September.

“All parties claim they don’t want confrontation with the army, including Hezbollah. So let’s hear from the army and discuss together,” he said.

“No one is preparing for civil war. The disagreement remains political.”