Residents of Ibl al-Saqi, a village in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, are bracing for the departure of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. Al-Monitor reported that the UN Security Council voted last year to terminate the force's mandate by the end of 2026. Mark Diab, a 59-year-old shop owner, stated that the peacekeepers have become integrated into the community's social fabric over decades. He described the relationship as familial, noting that his sister married a peacekeeper who now resides in Spain. According to Al-Monitor, Diab's shop sells clothes and alcohol to UN personnel, and he fears the withdrawal will upend local life.
The economic consequences are expected to be severe for the village. Mayor George Rahhal told Al-Monitor that many residents work as UNIFIL staff or contractors, meaning the entire community will face disruption. Rahhal noted that the force provided security, healthcare, and school support, creating a stability that locals fear will vanish. Khaled Nahra, co-owner of a souvenir workshop, said his business has operated for 25 years primarily serving the peacekeepers. He warned that the workshop, which employs about a dozen people, may close when the force leaves. Former spokesperson Andrea Tenenti described the force as the second-largest economic contributor in the region, supporting a wide network of local businesses.
The withdrawal occurs amid ongoing regional tensions. Al-Monitor noted that over 4,300 people have died in Lebanon since March, including seven peacekeepers caught in crossfire. Israeli troops continue to operate in the area, and the village sits just outside a 10-kilometer security zone established after the latest conflict with Hezbollah. The force currently includes approximately 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries. With the mandate ending, Lebanon faces a potential security vacuum, as its national army has limited resources to deploy across the south. Villagers have expressed concern about who will assume responsibility for their safety and economic stability after the international presence departs.