What is UNIFIL?

According to a UN statement, the Israeli military has opened fire on the Lebanon-based UN Interim Force (UNIFIL).

“This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF]Israeli army] Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqura]Naqoura], directly hitting it and causing them to fall”, a UNIFIL spokesperson said on Sunday.

Israel claimed to be collaborating with Hezbollah fighters who were close to UN positions and confirmed its “military presence” there.

What is UNIFIL?

UNIFIL, a UN Security Council (UNSC) peacekeeping mission, was established in March 1978, just before Israel invaded Lebanon.

The UNSC passed Resolutions 425 and 426, calling on Israel to withdraw from Lebanon. Additionally, they made the decision to form UNIFIL.

UNIFIL was deployed to Lebanon in accordance with the organization’s decision to “confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore international peace and security, and assist the government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.”

UNIFIL is present in a number of locations that have traditionally been associated with the powerful Lebanese organization Hezbollah because its main area of focus is in the south of Lebanon, close to the Israeli border.

So are they soldiers?

No.

The peacekeepers themselves may have served in their home countries. But on peacekeeping missions, they do not engage in combat.

Peacekeepers must maintain impartiality and can only visit with the people’s permission when deployed.

According to the UN: “Today’s multidimensional peacekeeping operations … not only maintain peace and security but also facilitate the political process, protect civilians, assist in the&nbsp, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, support the organisation of elections, protect and promote human rights&nbsp, and assist in restoring the&nbsp, rule of law”.

How big is UNIFIL?

UNIFIL comprises more than 10, 000 peacekeepers from 50 nations. As of September 2, they were:

Indonesia – 1, 231
Italy – 1, 068
India – 903
Nepal – 876
Ghana – 873
Malaysia – 833
Spain – 676
France – 673
China – 418
Ireland – 370
Republic of Korea – 294
Poland – 213
Finland – 205
Cambodia – 185
Serbia – 182
Austria – 165
Greece – 131
Sri Lanka – 126
Tanzania – 125
Bangladesh – 120
Germany – 112
Turkey – 92
El Salvador – 52
Moldova – 32
Brunei – 29
Hungary – 15
Brazil – 11
Malta – 9
5th Republic of North Macedonia
Mongolia – 4
Argentina, 3
Kenya – 3
Latvia – 3
Sierra Leone – 3
Cyprus – 2
Guatemala – 2
Zambia – 2
Armenia – 1
United Kingdom – 1
Colombia -1
Croatia – 1
Estonia – 1
Fiji – 1
Kazakhstan – 1
Malawi – 1
Netherlands: 1
Nigeria – 1
Peru – 1
Qatar – 1
Uruguay – 1

It also has about 800 civilian staff worldwide.

Where is it in Lebanon?

In the south.

The Litani River to the Blue Line are where UNIFIL is present.

That area is 1, 060sq km (409sq miles), throughout which UNIFIL has 50 positions. Its headquarters are in Naqoura in the southwest.

A UN vehicle drives, during a Reuters' visit at Camp Shamrock where Irish and Polish peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are stationed near Maroun al-Ras village close to the Lebanese-Israeli border, in southern Lebanon November 29, 2023. [Aziz Taher/Reuters] — A UN armoured vehicle passes by Camp Shamrock, where Irish and Polish UNIFIL peacekeepers are stationed near Maroun al-Ras village in south Lebanon near the Israeli border, November 29, 2023]Aziz Taher/Reuters]

What’s the Blue Line?

Established in 2000, the Blue Line is a 120km (75-mile) “border” drawn up by the UN between Lebanon and Israel.

The UNSC Resolutions 425 and 426 specifically request the Israeli army to withdraw from Lebanese territory.

So how does it work?

Israeli and Lebanese authorities are required to notify UNIFIL of any activities that occur in its vicinity in accordance with their mission and to maintain peace along the Blue Line.

This includes security and routine maintenance tasks.

This protocol aids UNIFIL in running the delicate border region effectively.

Spanish peacekeepers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) coordinate their patrol with the Lebanese army, in Marjayoun in south Lebanon on October 8 — On October 8, 2024, UNIFIL peacekeepers in Marjayoun, south of Lebanon, coordinate their patrol with the Lebanese army.

Was it just in 1978 that UNIFIL had to act?

No, there have been a few wars that UNIFIL worked through.

Israel occupied Lebanon once more in 1982, retaking control of the region and occupying it entirely along with Beirut.

UNIFIL’s role was restricted to assisting the people in the south and providing humanitarian aid wherever possible until the invasion ended in 1985 due to its position behind Israeli restrictions.

Israel re-entered South Lebanon in 2006 to start a one-month-long conflict with Hezbollah.