Beirut, August 1: The current mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is set to expire at the end of 2026. Residents of border communities in southern Lebanon are worried that any reduction or withdrawal of the peacekeeping mission could impact their security, livelihoods, and daily lives.
While the UN Security Council has extended UNIFIL’s mandate until December 31, 2026, discussions about the mission’s future continue. This has heightened anxiety among the residents of southern Lebanon. Many believe that this force has become an integral part of their everyday existence.
Established in 1978 under UN Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, UNIFIL was expanded following the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war under Resolution 1701. Currently, around 10,500 peacekeepers from approximately 50 countries are part of the mission.
In addition to monitoring the ceasefire and maintaining stability along the UN-designated “Blue Line,” the force assists in demining, providing medical services, and supporting environmental and development projects in southern Lebanon.
Residents have noted that the mission plays a crucial role in the local economy. The presence of thousands of peacekeepers has benefited shops, restaurants, and service providers. The mission has also created both direct and indirect employment opportunities for many locals.
Decades of interaction have fostered close social ties between peacekeepers and local communities. According to a report by Xinhua, Claudia Nahra, who works as a translator for UNIFIL, stated that relationships have evolved from formal cooperation to everyday conversations. Some connections have even developed into familial bonds.
George Al-Qais, a resident of Marjayoun, informed Xinhua that there have been around 34 marriages between UNIFIL personnel and locals, with 22 occurring in Marjayoun alone.
Beyond economic and humanitarian contributions, many residents believe that UNIFIL helps bring stability to southern Lebanon by monitoring the border and documenting violations.
Since 2023, there has been over a year of cross-border conflict in southern Lebanon, with a ceasefire implemented on November 27, 2024. Residents emphasize the need for effective mechanisms to prevent a resurgence of violence.
Lebanon has consistently supported the continued presence of UNIFIL. According to the government’s National News Agency, President Joseph Aoun recently reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to maintaining the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon until the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and the deployment of the Lebanese army to internationally recognized borders.
In January, UNIFIL reported that due to budget cuts from the United Nations, over 1,800 peacekeepers have left southern Lebanon since November 2025.
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