On August 28, 2025, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) voted to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for the final time, ensuring the peacekeeping mission will begin winding down from December 2026. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a mission that has been operating in Lebanon for nearly five decades, highlighting both the continued fragility of regional stability and the mounting geopolitical pressures surrounding Lebanon, Israel, and broader Middle East dynamics.

Established in 1978, UNIFIL was initially tasked with monitoring Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon following the 1978 South Lebanon conflict. Over the years, the mission evolved to play a crucial role not only in maintaining peace along the volatile Israeli-Lebanese border but also in supporting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority in regions historically affected by conflict. For decades, UNIFIL has served as a buffer, deterring escalation and providing humanitarian support in a region where political and military tensions remain high.

The mission’s role has become increasingly complex and contested, particularly since the outbreak of the recent Gaza war. UNIFIL bases have repeatedly come under attack from Israeli forces, a development that has drawn international attention to the risks faced by peacekeepers in operational theaters. These attacks, coupled with Israel’s lobbying to terminate UNIFIL’s mandate, have placed the mission at the center of geopolitical debate. Israel’s argument for ending the mission often cites perceived inefficiencies and costs, particularly appealing to certain US officials, despite widespread recognition of the mission’s importance in stabilizing the region.

When Israel attacked a UNIFIL base in October last year, Turkiye responded strongly, emphasizing that the peacekeeping force’s........

© Blitz