UN pushes new Lebanon force despite UNIFIL failure

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is proposing a new international force for southern Lebanon to replace UNIFIL, despite widespread criticism that the current mission failed to stop Hezbollah from building a massive terrorist infrastructure along Israel’s border.

Under the proposal, hundreds or even thousands of troops could be deployed to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, patrol the border area, and investigate violations. The plan comes even after the UN Security Council voted to terminate UNIFIL following years of ineffective enforcement of Resolution 1701.

Israel blasted the proposal, arguing that simply rebranding a failed mission will not solve the problem. Ambassador Danny Danon said those who failed to prevent Hezbollah’s rearmament for nearly two decades “will not achieve different results simply by wearing different uniforms and operating under a new title.”