UNIFIL changes its role on the Lebanese-Israeli border, from monitoring to patrolling

Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas on 7 October, forces on all sides have been overwhelmed by the viciousness of the actions and escalating movements of both armies and/or militias.

UN peacekeepers stationed on one of the world's most militarily active borders, between Lebanon and Israel, face an unprecedented series of daily challenges for the organisation. 

Clashes between Hezbollah militias and the Israeli army cost dozens of lives every day, a situation that UNIFIL can no longer sustain. UNIFIL's role has now taken a 180-degree turn from ceasefire monitoring and policing to one of sustaining the forces between the sides. 

UNIFIL has a role to play in calming the situation that must be accompanied by political negotiations led by key stakeholders and regional forces. 

Violence in Lebanon has killed more than 600 people since October, most of them Hezbollah fighters, but at least 131 civilians have also been mourned, according to AFP. According to the Israeli authorities, 23 soldiers and 26 civilians were killed in Israel and the Golan Heights. In addition, several blue cases have been wounded since the war began. 

During a special tour with UNIFIL Spain, the Washington Post published a report describing the new reality encountered by UNIFIL members in the course of their mission.

‘There were times when the situation was calm after two days of constant fighting,’ said Lieutenant Colonel José Irisarri, after the border area became a battleground during the 345 days since the conflict began, threatening to turn a limited confrontation into an all-out war. 

‘We are not against anyone, but if UNIFIL were not here, I am absolutely sure that the situation would get worse,’ José Irisarri. 

Located in the region since 2006, UNIFIL has been in charge of maintaining and monitoring the various ceasefires that have taken place between Lebanon and Israel. However, since the outbreak of war following the horrific 7 October attacks that left more than 1,200 dead and more than 200 kidnapped, the peacekeepers have tried to de-escalate the conflict by relaying messages between the Israeli army and Lebanese armed groups. 

‘Our mission in Lebanon, in accordance with UN Resolution 1701, is to control the area and to help the Lebanese government and the Lebanese Armed Forces to take control of the region south of the Litani,’ explains Lieutenant Colonel José Irisarri. 

As large numbers of civilians fled on both sides of the border, UNIFIL's posture shifted from monitoring border violations to patrolling the front lines, which Irisarri likened to an ‘uncomfortable buffer role’. 

Protocols and systems for action were overstepped. Until October last year, a more formal mediation mechanism existed, with military representatives meeting in conference rooms under UNIFIL supervision, a mechanism that has since had to be suspended.

In the midst of this escalation, UNIFIL forces found themselves at the centre of the crisis. Captain Alfonso Albar, a member of the Spanish unit, described how the alert level was raised to the highest level (Level 3), forcing soldiers to take shelter underground. ‘We spent five hours a day in the bunker, constantly listening to the sounds of Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system,’ he said. 

Since Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, the nature of violations in the border area has changed. Despite significant escalation, the UNIFIL base has not been directly targeted in the current conflict. However, the mission was not without casualties. 

The Washington Post reported this month that a UNIFIL contractor was killed in an attack on his car and a hairdresser working for the Spanish unit was wounded on his way to work by Israeli sniper fire. 

Referring to his assessment of the current situation, amid fears of a direct confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti stressed in press releases last month: ‘The situation is very worrying and we are doing everything in our power to avoid any conflict or misunderstandings, which could lead to regional conflicts with serious consequences. 

‘We are keeping the channels of communication open for the parties to exchange messages because there is still the possibility of a withdrawal, but the solution must be purely diplomatic and political,’ he added. UNIFIL personnel will remain in the region despite the escalation and changes in their functions, but the reality is that they will not be able to do so for long.