UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon are preparing to end their 48-year presence along the Blue Line, according to UN News. Kandice Ardiel, the spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reported that the mission is in its final stages following a unanimous vote by the UN Security Council in August 2025 to let the mandate expire at the end of 2026. Preparations for the physical withdrawal of the force are expected to commence in January 2027, marking the conclusion of an operation that began in March 1978.
Despite a significant decrease in hostilities following a June agreement between the United States, Lebanon, and Israel, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Ardiel noted that daily violations by Israeli forces are still observed across the region, including the construction of military positions, roads, and various forms of artillery and aerial bombardment. On Tuesday, a routine UNIFIL patrol near Wadi Jilu was fired upon, prompting the peacekeepers to return fire until the shooting ceased, with no injuries reported. The force has since called for a prompt investigation from the Lebanese Government.
The return of residents to their homes is proceeding slowly. UN data indicates that the number of internally displaced people who have returned home has increased by 13 per cent since September, reaching nearly one million. However, around 304,500 people remain displaced outside their areas of origin. Ardiel described the return as painful, noting that while children are returning to school and farmers are attempting to harvest olive crops, they are facing destroyed essential infrastructure, including electricity networks, water systems, and roads.
The withdrawal will have significant economic and social ripple effects in southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL has been an integral part of local life for decades. The force provides employment opportunities and contributes to the local economy, making the transition particularly difficult for national staff. Many of these Lebanese staff members have lost homes or family members due to the ongoing conflict, adding to the uncertainty of the future. Ardiel emphasized that impartial international monitoring has played a crucial role in the region and will remain essential for Lebanon’s future stability as the force prepares to exit.