Israeli media: US and Israel want to end UNIFIL mission
Several Israeli news organisations report the US and Israel will seek an end to the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The peacekeeping mission has been active since 1978 after Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon. It was in force during Israel’s occupation from 1982 to 2000 as well as the 2006 war between Lebanon and Israel.
The peacekeeping mission’s positions repeatedly have come under fire in the most recent fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.
The US is a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, which must pass a resolution to extend UNIFIL’s expiring mandate. A vote is expected in August.
Get those pesky independent observers out of the way of Israel's continued violations of the 'ceasefire'
Can the US end UNIFIL mandate?
Israeli media report the United States will use its permanent member status on the UN Security Council to end UNIFIL’s mandate. The plan has not been officially announced. Any of the five permanent members of the UNSC can use their veto power to block the extension of a peacekeeping mission’s mandate.
The Trump administration has been pivoting away from the UN, and has been particularly critical of peacekeeping missions and the funding they require. UNIFIL’s current mandate for its 10,000 peacekeepers, which was renewed for a year in 2024, will expire on August 30 of this year.
