Peacekeepers step up support as families return to south Lebanon
“The welcome reduction in violence allows our peacekeepers to do more of what we are here to do,” UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said in a press release on Thursday.The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)’s mandate is to enforce Security Council Resolution 1701 – which set the terms for ending the fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli in 2006 – by monitoring hostilities, supporting Lebanese armed forces against Hezbollah militants, ensuring humanitarian access and securing Lebanon’s border along the Blue Line of separation from Israel.A broken peaceThe 2006 resolution aimed to create lasting peace between Israel and Hezbollah and disarm the latter. Since 8 October 2023, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has accused both sides of violating the resolution.Israel and the Lebanese Government in Beirut have engaged in peace talks since June. UNIFIL has recorded dozens of projectiles over the past few days, which still represents a relative decrease in hostilities.Meanwhile, as many families have returned to their homes in south Lebanon only to find their villages destroyed, UNIFIL peacekeepers have worked to facilitate humanitarian assistance by ensuring safe passage for aid convoys and help restore essential services such as healthcare and water.“As people have begun to return to their villages, a lot of work remains to be done,” Ms. Ardiel said.
