United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon(UNIFIL)

UNIFIL stands for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, a peacekeeping mission established by the UN Security Council in 1978 to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and help restore international peace and security. Over the years, UNIFIL’s mandate has evolved in response to regional conflicts, particularly after the 2006 Lebanon War.

Key Objectives of UNIFIL:

1. Monitor Cessation of Hostilities: UNIFIL oversees the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, ensuring both parties adhere to the terms set by the UN.
2. Support Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): The mission assists the Lebanese army in ensuring that southern Lebanon, near the Israeli border, is free of unauthorized armed personnel and weapons.
3. Facilitate Humanitarian Access: UNIFIL coordinates humanitarian assistance and ensures the safety of displaced persons and local populations affected by the conflict.
4. Prevent Violations of UN Resolutions: UNIFIL plays a critical role in monitoring and reporting violations of UN Security Council Resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities and establishes a buffer zone between Israel and Lebanon.

Challenges:

• Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel: Despite UNIFIL’s presence, occasional skirmishes and tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border remain a challenge.
• Complex Political Environment: UNIFIL operates in a region with deep-seated political and sectarian divisions, often making it difficult to maintain lasting peace and stability.
• Local Hostility: Some local populations, particularly Hezbollah-affiliated groups, view UNIFIL with suspicion, complicating peacekeeping efforts.

• India’s Role in UNIFIL:

  India is a part of UNIFIL. The Indian Army has been a significant contributor to UNIFIL, providing troops and personnel to the mission for many years. The Indian contingent, called INDBATT (Indian Battalion), is primarily responsible for peacekeeping activities in a specific sector of southern Lebanon. India’s contributions include engineering, medical, and combat personnel. India also contributes naval assets to UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, the only UN naval peacekeeping mission.

  Countries Contributing to UNIFIL:

  UNIFIL is a multi-national mission, with 46 countries contributing personnel as of 2024. These include:

  • India
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Indonesia
  • Nepal
  • Ghana
  • Bangladesh …and many others.

  Together, these countries provide around 10,000 personnel to the mission, which includes military troops, naval forces, and civilian personnel.