On 11 August 2006, the Security Council, following intense negotiations, passed resolution 1701 (2006) calling for a full cessation of hostilities in the month-long war of July 2006, and called on both Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive solution to the crisis.

By resolution 1701, the Council has significantly enhanced UNIFIL (from about 2,000 troops just before the war to the authorized level of 15,000 military personnel) and expanded its original mandate. For the first time, the Council also decided to include the Maritime Task Force as part of UN peacekeeping operation.