UN Urged to Keep International Force in Lebanon to Protect Civilians

The United Nations Security Council is facing pressure to reconsider its decision to withdraw the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2026. Human Rights Watch has urged the council to extend the mission's mandate, citing concerns over the deteriorating security situation in southern Lebanon. The security situation in southern Lebanon has worsened significantly since the Security Council unanimously decided to extend UNIFIL's mandate one final time until the end of 2026 in August 2025. The latest escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in March 2026 has resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilians being displaced, with many more at risk of being harmed. Human Rights Watch has warned that pulling the plug on UNIFIL without a robust international force in place would effectively abandon millions of Lebanese civilians to an uncertain and potentially disastrous fate. The organization has called on the UN to delay UNIFIL's departure and extend the mission's mandate beyond December 31, 2026, until the security situation has improved sufficiently to consider further reducing the force. UNIFIL's mandate includes supporting the Lebanese armed forces, monitoring the ceasefire, and reporting on violations along the "Blue Line" that divides Lebanon from Israel and the occupied Golan Heights. It also authorizes UNIFIL to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence. The drawdown of UNIFIL is expected to take a year, based on the timeline in Resolution 2790 (2025). However, Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns that the security situation in southern Lebanon may not improve sufficiently to allow for a safe withdrawal of the force. The US and Israel have made clear that they oppose extending UNIFIL's mandate past 2026, although as many as 14 out of the council's 15 members would support delaying the removal of UNIFIL, diplomats told Human Rights Watch. The US could use its veto power to block any attempt to extend UNIFIL's mandate or delay its termination. Other options are being considered for an international presence in Lebanon, including a multinational coalition to take over from UNIFIL after it departs. However, Human Rights Watch has warned that any future international presence in Lebanon must prioritize the protection of civilians and be equipped to monitor and publicly report on human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict. The Security Council should not leave Lebanese civilians unprotected, Human Rights Watch has said. The council will share much of the blame if UNIFIL's departure creates a security vacuum that opens the door to further abuses.