In brief
UN peacekeeping chief Jean‑Pierre Lacroix warned that pulling UNIFIL out of southern Lebanon could create a security vacuum and heighten tensions between Lebanese and Israeli forces. While Israel and the US support ending the mission, the UN has yet to receive clear guidance from the Security Council on a replacement. Lacroix emphasized that UNIFIL’s departure would leave gaps in monitoring, humanitarian convoys and communication channels.
The United Nations warned on Wednesday that withdrawing its peacekeepers from southern Lebanon could create a security vacuum, according to UN peacekeeping chief Jean‑Pierre Lacroix during a visit to the Middle East.
UNIFIL has monitored developments along the Blue Line for decades, reported violations, and facilitated humanitarian access for roughly 10,000 people who live between Israel’s forward defense line and the Blue Line.
Lacroix said Lebanese officials voiced concern over losing the third‑party presence that has helped prevent misunderstandings and keep communication channels open between the Lebanese army and the Israel Defense Forces and could destabilize the fragile balance.
“Do we really believe that the Lebanese army and the Israel Defense Forces can be just left facing one another without any third party?”
He added that the UN’s departure would leave a gap not only in monitoring but also in coordinating humanitarian convoys and preventing unintended escalation.
Israel, backed by the United States, has supported ending the mission, but the UN has yet to receive clear guidance from the Security Council on a possible successor arrangement.
Lacroix indicated that withdrawal plans are ready but remain flexible enough to accommodate a future UN presence if a replacement is agreed upon or if the Security Council decides to maintain a limited mission.
As of Friday night the Security Council had not approved a new mandate, leaving UNIFIL’s fate in limbo. The UN has urged careful consideration of a successor mission to avoid a security vacuum that could embolden tensions between the two sides.
