UN chief proposes new peacekeeping force to replace UNIFIL in southern Lebanon

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed that the UN Security Council establish a new international force to replace the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to a letter sent to the Council and obtained by The Jerusalem Post.

The proposal outlines the creation of a new mission tasked with maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah along Lebanon’s southern border. It comes amid uncertainty over the future of UNIFIL, which currently deploys around 7,500 peacekeepers from nearly 50 countries along the Blue Line, the 120-kilometre de facto border between Lebanon and Israel.

UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978, serving as a buffer force intended to reduce tensions and monitor hostilities in the area.

According to the letter, the Secretary-General presented three possible models for a successor mission, ranging from a robust military presence to a smaller observer-based structure.

The most extensive option would include roughly 350 UN military observers supported by four infantry battalions of 750 troops each, along with a 700-strong reserve force. This configuration would allow the mission to patrol much of the Blue Line, investigate violations, coordinate with both the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and position itself between the parties to help prevent escalation.

A second, intermediate option would deploy 285 military observers, two battalions of 750 troops each, and a 450-strong reserve force. This version would retain limited monitoring and investigative capabilities but reduced capacity to physically separate forces or support Lebanese Army operations.

The lightest option would consist of 215 unarmed military observers, protected by two battalions of 450 troops and a 350-member rapid reaction force. Under this model, the mission would primarily observe, report, and facilitate communication, with limited ability to enforce compliance or de-escalate tensions on the ground.

Notably, the proposal does not include an option to end the UN military presence in southern Lebanon.

In 2025, the UN Security Council voted to end UNIFIL’s mandate, with the mission expected to wind down by the end of 2026 and withdraw during 2027. The new proposal would effectively establish a successor framework to maintain an international presence in the area.

By Sabina Mammadli