Is Israel trying to push UNIFIL out of Lebanon?

The Israeli army has intensified its strikes on sites belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), coinciding with Israeli criticism of the peacekeeper force and calls to relocate them 5 kilometers north "to avoid danger amid escalating conflict." However, these efforts are seen as attempts to undermine UNIFIL’s mission, which Lebanese sources believe are part of an Israeli plan to end its role on the border to faciliate a deeper ground invasion.

Despite international outcry against Israel’s attacks—denounced as war crimes and flagrant violations of international law—and calls to protect the peacekeepers, UNIFIL's headquarters was hit again on Friday, the second incident of its kind in 48 hours, injuring two soldiers after blasts near a watchtower. 

A statement from UNIFIL said that several protective walls at the UN site near the Blue Line in Al-Labouneh collapsed when an Israeli bulldozer collided with the site’s perimeter. Israeli tanks were also spotted moving near the UN post. UN peacekeepers remained at the site, and a rapid reaction force was dispatched to assist.

UNIFIL emphasized that these incidents place its peacekeeping forces—operating under Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006)—in severe danger. It described the situation as "serious" and stressed the need to guarantee the safety and security of UN personnel and property. The statement also underscored the inviolability of UN premises and warned that any deliberate attack on peacekeepers constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and Resolution 1701.

Lebanon views Israel’s attacks on UNIFIL as systematic and deliberate, pointing to incidents such as the targeting of observation towers at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Ras Naqoura and the Sri Lankan battalion’s base, which resulted in injuries. Lebanon emphasizes that any unlawful demand for UNIFIL to evacuate its positions in southern Lebanon contradicts its mandate, as determined by the Security Council. 

Lebanon has called on the Security Council, the international community, and UNIFIL-contributing countries to investigate Israel's actions and take a firm stance against these attacks. Failure to hold Israel accountable could embolden further assaults on UNIFIL, it says, sending a dangerous message that could have serious implications for UN peacekeeping missions globally.

On Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Israel not to repeat its attacks on UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon, calling such actions "unacceptable."

After talks with Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Laos, Guterres emphasized that many parties expressed solidarity with the two wounded peacekeepers and made it clear to Israel that such incidents must not happen again.

Human Rights Watch also called for a UN investigation into Israeli attacks on UNIFIL, viewing these actions as potential violations of the laws of war.

Military and strategic analyst Brigadier General Nizar Abdel Qader told TNA's sister publication Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Israel views UNIFIL's presence along the Blue Line as a major obstacle in its efforts against Lebanon. Abdel Qader suggested that this may be part of preparations for a broader military operation, should Israel launch a large-scale attack rather than limited skirmishes along the Blue Line. Such an attack could involve armored divisions aiming to push Hezbollah beyond the Litani River, and potentially further, to secure northern Israeli settlements.

However, he doubts that UNIFIL’s mission in southern Lebanon will end, as the United Nations, backed by the Security Council’s legitimacy, would not accept such a withdrawal. Doing so would undermine the global security order and turn the world into one ruled by "the law of the jungle," rendering the UN ineffective.

A UNIFIL source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that UNIFIL will remain in southern Lebanon unless a UN decision mandates otherwise.

Earlier reports indicated that UNIFIL recently rejected an Israeli request to evacuate its peacekeepers from southern Lebanon near the Israeli border. According to Axios, Israeli officials said that the Israeli army and foreign ministry contacted UNIFIL leaders and the UN Peacekeeping Department in New York, requesting that UNIFIL move 5 kilometers away from the border to avoid damage from Israel’s ground operations in southern Lebanon. UNIFIL refused the request.

Resolution 1701 and UNIFIL’s mandate

Resolution 1701, unanimously adopted in 2006, was aimed at halting hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and called for a permanent ceasefire, establishing a buffer zone.

The resolution authorized increasing UNIFIL forces to a maximum of 15,000 troops to monitor the ceasefire, support the Lebanese army as Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon, and ensure the safe return of displaced persons. UNIFIL continues its mission under an annually renewed mandate, which has been in place since 1978.

The Blue Line stretches 120 kilometers along Lebanon's southern border and Israel's northern border. It is key to maintaining regional peace under Resolution 1701. UNIFIL monitors the Blue Line, including the airspace above it, reports violations to the Security Council, and coordinates patrols to prevent escalation.

In case of an incident along the Blue Line, UNIFIL immediately deploys additional forces to the site if necessary, to avoid direct conflict and contain the situation. It communicates with both the Lebanese and Israeli armed forces to de-escalate tensions.

UNIFIL is authorized to use force in certain circumstances to prevent hostile activities within its area of operations, protect UN personnel and facilities, and ensure the safety of civilians at imminent risk of violence.