The Security Council should extend UNIFIL’s mandate until Israeli forces withdraw from Lebanese territory

The 2026 Lebanon war began after Hezbollah fired projectiles into Israel in response to the start of the Iran war, prompting major Israeli retaliation and opening a new front in the regional conflict.

The UN Security Council's final extension of UNIFIL expires at the end of 2026, after which the peacekeeping force is expected to begin an orderly withdrawal. Its security, monitoring and humanitarian responsibilities are intended to pass primarily to the Lebanese army and other UN agencies. The transition is complicated by continuing Israel-Hezbollah tensions and the reported location of more than half of UNIFIL's posts within territory controlled by Israeli forces.