The past four months, marked by intense violence in south Lebanon, have been a testing time for thousands of UNIFIL peacekeepers who stayed the course and delivered on their mandate around the clock.
Operating in an extremely volatile environment, with fluctuating risk levels and the constant possibility of sudden escalation, the peacekeepers adapted to the rapidly evolving situation but remained in their positions across Lebanon and along the Blue Line. They continued to monitor and report on developments on the ground, while also assisting southern communities affected by the conflict and living both inside and outside of the mission’s area of operations.
The peacekeepers continued with patrols and monitoring of the situation – albeit at reduced levels – which were essential for constant situational awareness. The mission’s work to facilitate humanitarian access and convoys, including through its robust liaison mechanism and explosive ordnance disposal assets, never stopped.
Daily route checks are performed to ensure freedom of movement within UNIFIL’s area of operations, critical requirement for enabling humanitarian access.
“In this context, coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces has been central to our daily work,” said UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander, Major General Diodato Abagnara. “Any lasting stabilization of the south inevitably depends on strengthened Lebanese State authorities, with the Army at the core.”
