The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) plays a critical role in maintaining peace along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border. Established in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, UNIFIL has since become a vital stabilising presence in the region. With a current mandate to monitor ceasefires, prevent hostilities, and assist Lebanese forces in securing the area, UNIFIL operates in one of the most tense geopolitical landscapes.
Consisting of thousands of peacekeepers from multiple countries, UNIFIL patrols the Blue Line, the border demarcation between Lebanon and Israel, to prevent clashes. As tensions rise in the region, with periodic rocket fire and military exchanges, UNIFIL’s role is increasingly under scrutiny. While the force has managed to prevent large-scale conflicts, its effectiveness is often challenged by both sides of the border, making its mission one of the most complex in UN peacekeeping history.
