The United Nations is preparing for post-UNIFIL in Lebanon.
According to a document addressed to the Security Council and obtained by i24NEWS, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is proposing the creation of a new international force to replace UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.
This initiative comes as the Security Council decided last year, under American pressure, to end the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on December 31, 2026.
Antonio Guterres’ proposal provides for three distinct scenarios to maintain an international presence between Israel and Hezbollah along the Blue Line.
The most ambitious option includes around 350 UN military observers, supported by four infantry battalions of 750 soldiers each and a reserve force of 700 men.
According to the report, this force could monitor most of the border, conduct patrols up to the Litani River, investigate ceasefire violations and coordinate its actions with the Lebanese army and the IDF. It could also intervene physically in order to avoid a military escalation.
A second, smaller option provides for 285 military observers, two battalions of 750 soldiers and a reserve of 450 men, with more limited surveillance and de-escalation capabilities.
The minimal scenario would be based on 215 unarmed observers protected by two battalions of 450 soldiers and a rapid reaction force of 350 men. In this model, the mission would be primarily focused on observing and reporting violations.
The three proposals are based on a significant technological system including drones, radars, satellite images, surveillance systems and means of medical evacuation.
The report, however, does not foresee any option for a complete withdrawal of the international military presence in southern Lebanon, despite the Security Council’s decision regarding UNIFIL.
Israel firmly rejects this initiative.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, denounced an attempt to circumvent the decision taken on UNIFIL.
“After years of total failure to implement Resolution 1701, the UN is now proposing to replace a failing force with a new force under another name,” declared Danny Danon.
“Those who did not prevent Hezbollah from arming for two decades will not achieve different results with a new uniform and a new title,” he added.
Deployed since 1978, UNIFIL currently has around 7,500 peacekeepers from around fifty countries along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
