Restrictions are tightening on the movement of UNIFIL peacekeepers still deployed in southern Lebanon, as their mandate is set to end at the close of this year.
Israeli military measures inside a security zone set up along the Lebanese border, stretching more than 10 km into Lebanese territory, have sharply reduced the force’s movement and left residents of three Christian villages trapped inside.
Multiple sources said Israeli forces last Wednesday moved gates that had stood at the border fence into Lebanese territory, placing them at forward points inside the security zone. It was the first practical step of its kind since 2000.
At that time, after withdrawing from southern Lebanon, the Israeli army moved the gates to the border fence and reinforced them in 2018 with concrete walls along large sections of the frontier.
The gates were later opened when Israeli forces began pushing into Lebanese territory in October 2024 during the expanded war with Hezbollah.
Restrictions squeeze UNIFIL movement
UNIFIL’s area of operations covers southern Lebanon, specifically the zone between the Litani River in the north and the Blue Line in the south along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Dany Ghafari, UNIFIL’s spokesperson in Lebanon, said that “since March 2, 2026, the date the latest round of fighting broke out between Israel and Hezbollah, UNIFIL soldiers have often faced restrictions on their movement across large parts of their area of operations because of road closures, checkpoints and other measures, forcing some patrols to be suspended or delayed.”
“Despite these challenges, peacekeepers continue their work on the ground, monitoring the situation and reporting observed violations in line with Resolution 1701,” he said. “They also help facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to residents who need it most.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ghafari said all parties must be reminded that they are required to “respect the freedom of movement of all UNIFIL patrols, logistical convoys and operational activities, because any restrictions imposed on them are a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
He said the parties must also “meet their obligations to ensure the safety of these forces and UN property.”
No withdrawal from positions
Ghafari said UNIFIL remains at all its positions inside its area of operations and along the Blue Line.
He said the force is “doing what it can under the current conditions, monitoring developments on the ground, reporting them to the Security Council with full impartiality, securing access for humanitarian aid convoys and facilitating the work of humanitarian organizations.”
UNIFIL currently has about 7,500 troops from 47 countries.
Ghafari said coordination with the Lebanese army is “close, continuous and round-the-clock.”
“We carry out joint activities on land and at sea. The army is our strategic partner in implementing Resolution 1701,” he said.
“Through the liaison and coordination mechanism, UNIFIL communicates with Lebanon and Israel to contain tensions, prevent misunderstandings, and exchange information.”
In early June, a Serbian UNIFIL soldier was killed after shells landed on his position near Marjayoun in southeastern Lebanon, making him the seventh member of the international force to die since March.
A replacement coalition
The force is preparing to leave Lebanon after a presence dating back to the 1970s, following a UN Security Council decision adopted on Aug. 28, 2025.
The decision called for “reducing UNIFIL’s strength and withdrawing it in an orderly and safe manner starting on that date and within one year.”
Washington and Tel Aviv pushed for the decision, arguing that the force had proved ineffective. It had not prevented renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, nor had it guaranteed that the border area would become free of weapons and armed groups.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently announced during a summit in Antibes that France and Italy intend to form a multinational “coalition” after UNIFIL’s mandate ends, with the aim of strengthening “Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
France’s Foreign Ministry told Al Hadath television that the multinational force would deploy in southern Lebanon with US support and the participation of several European countries.
It said the deployment would come at the request of the Lebanese authorities and would aim to support the Lebanese army in carrying out its duties and strengthening stability.
A force outside the United Nations
Sami Nader, director of the Mashreq Center for Strategic Affairs, said there is “a European will not to leave southern Lebanon without international forces.
But at the same time, a new experience similar to UNIFIL would not be viable, because it failed to stop the war and acted more like a cover for Hezbollah to expand and build its capabilities. It also failed to deter Israeli attacks.”
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Nader said that “any international force must have new and different tasks. For that reason, we rule out it being under the UN umbrella.”
He said he expected the formation of “an international force to support the army in implementing government decisions and the framework agreement, especially since its fourth clause paved the way for that by noting Lebanon’s request for support from the international community.”
