The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lázaro, is currently focused on the growing harassment of his forces in the country’s south, a trend that has intensified in recent weeks.
While Lázaro attributes the incidents to misunderstandings with local residents, he underscored that UNIFIL’s freedom of movement is essential to fulfilling its mandate to operate independently and impartially in monitoring and reporting violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, regardless of the source.
Since the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in November last year, Lázaro has been working to stabilize the volatile border region and prevent a renewed outbreak of fighting.
He warned that Israel’s continued occupation of Lebanese territory not only constitutes a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and Resolution 1701, but also threatens the fragile path toward peace.
Fragile Stability
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Lázaro described the current situation in UNIFIL’s area of operations—between the Litani River and the Blue Line—as one of fragile stability since the November 27 agreement to halt hostilities.
He said UNIFIL had assisted the Lebanese army in reestablishing a permanent presence at more than 120 sites across the south, in addition to several temporary positions. The mission has also uncovered around 225 arms and ammunition caches, which have been handed over to the Lebanese army.
Lázaro said Israel’s continued military presence and operations in southern Lebanon are obstructing the full deployment of the Lebanese army and preventing thousands of civilians from returning to their homes.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli military remains on Lebanese territory, Lázaro told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that UNIFIL has lodged official and public protests over this presence.
The Israeli military also continues to carry out operations in southern Lebanon in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. These activities are directly impeding the redeployment of the Lebanese army and the return of displaced civilians.
Thousands of Violations Recorded
Lázaro noted that monitoring and reporting violations of Resolution 1701 is central to UNIFIL’s mandate. While the mission supports the ceasefire understanding reached in November 2024, it does not monitor the agreement itself, though overlaps with its reporting under 1701 are frequent.
Since the ceasefire took effect, UNIFIL recorded thousands of violations.
According to Lázaro, they include more than 2,600 airspace violations, 1,400 Israeli military activities north of the Blue Line, over 60 airstrikes and drone attacks, and more than 750 artillery shelling trajectories.
The UNIFIL chief said he has consistently urged Israel to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territories it continues to occupy. He added that the mission is working closely with the Lebanese army, which is accelerating recruitment and redeployment efforts in the south.
Open Lines of Communication
UNIFIL’s primary focus remains on encouraging the parties to fully implement Resolution 1701, Lázaro said.
Through liaison and coordination mechanisms, UNIFIL maintained open lines of communication with both sides, he affirmed, adding that he remained in direct and regular contact to reduce tensions and prevent misunderstandings or miscalculations.
Mounting Concerns Over Escalation
Lázaro voiced concern that any escalation could jeopardize the progress achieved in recent months.
More than 10,000 UNIFIL personnel on the ground in southern Lebanon continue to monitor the situation around the clock and report violations of Resolution 1701, which underpins our mission’s mandate, he said.
UNIFIL is deeply concerned that further escalation could endanger these gains, especially given the risk to civilian lives and the fragile environment witnessed in recent months.
Any additional flare-up in this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region, warned Lázaro.
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission also believes that a permanent ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel is within reach if backed by strong political determination.
Lázaro said the current cessation of hostilities is grounded in UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which serves as a mutually accepted framework for a long-term solution.
He stressed that full implementation of the resolution, coupled with serious political commitment, could bring about a durable end to hostilities.
Arms Caches and Unclear Violations
Lázaro explained that UNIFIL’s role is to monitor and report violations of Resolution 1701, many of which align with—but are not limited to—the ceasefire understanding. Since the truce took effect, peacekeepers have uncovered more than 200 weapons and ammunition caches. These findings have been referred to the Lebanese army for follow-up.
While Israeli airstrikes, artillery shelling, and military presence continue to be recorded, the number of comparable incidents from the Lebanese side has been lower. However, in many cases, the identities of those responsible for violations remain unclear, making it difficult to assign responsibility based solely on UNIFIL's observations.
Operational Disruptions and Security Concerns
The general also addressed recent incidents of harassment and aggression against UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon. He emphasized that the mission's freedom of movement is not just a right but a necessity, as it allows peacekeepers to carry out their duties independently and impartially. UNIFIL conducts hundreds of operational activities every day, and any attempt to restrict its movement undermines its ability to monitor and stabilize the situation effectively.
Lázaro says restrictions on the movement of peacekeepers in southern Lebanon remain rare, often arising from misunderstandings. He pointed out that such incidents can occur when patrols take unfamiliar routes or when local residents mistakenly assume that Lebanese army personnel must always accompany UNIFIL units.
Despite these isolated challenges, Lázaro stressed that peacekeepers operate in close coordination with the Lebanese army, working to support the Lebanese government’s implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 at a particularly sensitive time. He emphasized that any attempt to obstruct the mission’s work runs counter to Lebanon’s commitment to the resolution.
Coordinated Operations with the Lebanese Army
UNIFIL continues to align its activities with the Lebanese military, and many operations are conducted jointly. However, Lázaro clarified that the mission retains the ability to operate independently, while maintaining coordination with both the Lebanese government and the army in full respect of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Humanitarian Support in Conflict-Affected Areas
On the humanitarian front, Lázaro said UNIFIL has played a key role in supporting thousands of displaced Lebanese who are gradually returning to the south. Peacekeepers have reopened roads, cleared and destroyed unexploded ordnance, and extended assistance to schools and hospitals.
However, he noted that peacekeeping - not aid delivery - remains the mission’s primary focus, aimed at preventing a relapse into conflict. UNIFIL also facilitates the work of national and international humanitarian agencies, whose efforts are critical for rebuilding lives and infrastructure.
Behind the scenes, UNIFIL has been helping relief and development organizations gain access to communities affected by the conflict. The mission will continue this joint effort, Lázaro said, which remains essential for helping the Lebanese state restore public services and reassert its authority in southern areas.
