According to what was revealed by the newspaper “Israel Hayom” on Tuesday, it was considered that “UNIFIL” failed in its primary mission to prevent Hezbollah from positioning south of the Litani River, confirming that its continued presence no longer serves the purpose for which it was established. This message comes amid escalating tensions in southern Lebanon, where the area witnesses repeated Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
The draft resolution includes the option of a “gradual withdrawal” of international forces so that the Lebanese government becomes the sole guarantor of security after the end of the designated period in late next year, according to the National News Agency on Tuesday. The agency noted that the vote on the project is scheduled for August 25 before the current mandate of the international force expires.
Washington, which has veto power, did not comment on the draft resolution, which must be voted on before the current mandate of the international force ends at the end of this month. The international emergency force is one of the oldest UN peacekeeping missions in the world, established in March 1978 under Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, following the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.
The resolution to establish the force mandated it to ensure the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in extending its authority over the south. Following the July 2006 war, its tasks were expanded under Resolution 1701 to include monitoring the cessation of hostilities, overseeing the “Blue Line” separation, and supporting the Lebanese army south of the Litani.
The force comprises about ten thousand soldiers from more than 40 countries, along with hundreds of civilians, headquartered in Naqoura, and operates in coordination with the Lebanese army within a clear mandate set by the Security Council.
