New York City – The United Nations Security Council recently extended the mandate of its peacekeeping force along Israel’s northern border, overlooking any mention of Hezbollah, a move that has raised concerns regarding the enforcement of Resolution 1701. This resolution prohibits armed non-state actors like Hezbollah from operating in certain areas south of the Litani River.
During the council meeting in New York, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood criticized the omission of condemning Hezbollah, citing that a small minority of council members hindered the resolution from addressing this issue. Despite the renewal of the mandate, the approved resolution was notably diluted compared to previous versions.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established in 1979 to monitor violations of the ceasefire that ended the Second Lebanon War in 2006 under UN Resolution 1701. Israel has previously criticized the UN’s lack of empowerment of UNIFIL in fully monitoring southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah’s activities in the region.
The recent extension of UNIFIL’s mandate occurred amidst a ten-month conflict between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah, resulting in displacement of civilians and escalating tensions along the border. Despite ongoing threats from Iran and Hezbollah, efforts to de-escalate the situation through diplomatic measures were emphasized during the council meeting.
Representatives at the meeting addressed Iran’s role in supplying advanced weaponry to Hezbollah, urging both Iran and Hezbollah to de-escalate the conflict. Israel’s Ambassador to the UN highlighted the continued attacks by Hezbollah on Israel, emphasizing the need for a stronger UNIFIL mandate to address security challenges in the region.
Concerns were raised over the perceived lack of accountability for Hezbollah’s actions, prompting calls for designating Hezbollah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organizations. While seeking a diplomatic resolution, Israel warned of potential escalation if peaceful measures fail to restore stability along the northern border.
Lebanon’s Deputy UN Ambassador expressed gratitude for the international community’s support in extending UNIFIL’s mandate as a gesture towards stability and peace. As tensions persist, the resolution emphasized the full implementation of Resolution 1701 to ensure an end to hostilities along the border.
In a visit to the northern border, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed the commitment to restoring security in the area, underscoring the importance of achieving peace and stability for all parties involved in the conflict. The ongoing efforts to address the situation reflect the complexities and challenges in maintaining peace in the region.