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UNIFIL urges political will to secure lasting peace in southern Lebanon
UNIFIL said peace remains distant in southern Lebanon and called on the parties to take political decisions to end the conflict. The force said the conflict had displaced thousands, damaged infrastructure and caused civilian deaths.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said the conflict in southern Lebanon had not yet ended, stressing that political will was essential to achieving lasting peace.
UNIFIL made the statement after a ceremony held at its headquarters in Naqoura as part of the International Day of Peace, observed every year on 21 September.
Responsibility for a solution lies with the parties
The force said it could help restore stability, prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of tensions. However, it stressed that UNIFIL could not replace the political will and decisions needed to end the conflict permanently.
UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said peace was not an issue to be raised only once a year and required continuous responsibility.
Abagnara said UNIFIL kept its communication channels with the parties open and conducted patrols to reduce tensions and the risk of misunderstandings. He also said the force supported the Lebanese Armed Forces in assuming greater responsibility in the south.
Abagnara said responsibility for a political solution lay with the parties and that UNIFIL would continue keeping communication channels open, reducing the risk of tensions and supporting diplomatic efforts.
Resolution 1701 provides the basic framework
Abagnara described the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 as the fundamental objective for lasting peace and stability in southern Lebanon.
The resolution calls for a complete end to the hostilities between Lebanon and Israel and for the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River to be free of armed personnel and weapons other than those belonging to the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.
The United Nations Security Council adopted the resolution in August 2006 after the 33-day war between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. UNIFIL said cooperation between the Lebanese Armed Forces and the peacekeeping force was central to maintaining stability in the south and strengthening state authority.
Conflict displaces thousands
UNIFIL said thousands of people had been forced to leave their homes because of the current conflict and that many remained displaced.
The force said the conflict had disrupted livelihoods, caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, and resulted in civilian deaths and injuries.
This year’s International Day of Peace will be the last one UNIFIL marks before its mandate expires at the end of 2026. The United Nations Security Council decided in 2025 to end the mandate.
Lebanese authorities: 4,386 people killed
Lebanese authorities said at least 4,386 people had been killed, 12,407 injured and more than 1 million displaced in Israeli attacks on Lebanon since 2 March.
The attacks continued despite the U.S.-mediated framework agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel on 26 June. The agreement calls for the deployment of the Lebanese Army in the area and the disarmament of Hezbollah in exchange for Israel’s phased withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
Israel was said to be holding areas in southern Lebanon, some for decades and others since the 2023–2024 war. Israeli forces advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the current operation.
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