UNIFIL

Hezbollah defies disarmament push as Israel maintains border buffer

BEHIND THE LINES: Lebanon's government faces mounting challenges in its faux attempt to dismantle Hezbollah's weapons, with no signs of real progress on the horizon.

LEBANESE ARMY soldiers patrol near the Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut’s southern suburbs earlier this month.
 A UNIFIL automobile drives before a vehicle carrying the body of Irish soldier Sean Rooney who was killed on a UN peacekeeping Patrol, as it heads to Beirut airport to be repatriated, in Sidon, Lebanon December 18, 2022.

UNSC unanimously calls to disband UN peacekeepers in Lebanon after a year

UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) vehicles ride along a street in Marjaayoun, Southern Lebanon January 20, 2025.

Tune into today's top stories: Israeli troops land in Syria, UN votes to end UNIFIL

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) vehicle drives as residents who were displaced because of the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel return to the Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, January 23, 2025.

UN to vote on ending UNIFIL, making Lebanese gov't sole security provider


IDF targets senior Houthi leaders in Yemen, Iran 'ready' for nuclear talks after snapbacks launched

France, UK, Germany activate sanctions on Iran • UN votes to disband UNIFIL after 2026 • IDF opens new Gaza aid centers

Houthi soldiers stand guard on a missile carrier during an official military parade marking the ninth anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, on September 21, 2023.

US diplomats in Israel, Lebanon push for action on Hezbollah disarmament - analysis

In the wake of US envoy Thomas Barrack and Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus visiting Israel, Beirut may feel that the US is growing in its serious desire to see real action.

 Members of Hezbollah attend the funeral of Taleb Abdallah, also known as Abu Taleb, a senior field commander of Hezbollah who was killed by what security forces say was an Israel strike in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon June 12, 2024.

Senior Lebanese army officer aided Hezbollah to conceal killing of Irish UNIFIL soldier

The UNIFIL peacekeeper, Irish national Private Sean Rooney, was killed in December 2022 while traveling to Beirut in an armored UN vehicle.

UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) vehicles ride along a street in Marjaayoun, Southern Lebanon January 20, 2025.

IDF intensifies attacks in Gaza, moves forward with Gaza City op.

Meeting on Gaza City occupation plan ends, COGAT ready to evacuate population • Car explosion leaves one injured in Ashkelon • Netanyahu argues Macron fueling French Jew-hatred

 Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in Gaza May 2, 2023.

UN Security Council starts talks on fate of peacekeeping force in Lebanon

When asked for comment on whether the US wanted to wind down UNIFIL, a State Department spokesperson said: “We don't comment on ongoing UN Security Council negotiations."

 The UNIFIL United Nations peacekeepers' vehicles drive on a road amid ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, in the town of Qlayaa, southern Lebanon October 18, 2024.

Hezbollah terrorist who killed Irish UN peacekeeper hiding in Iran to avoid death sentence - report

Lebanese authorities have failed to locate Mohammed Ayyad since he was released on bail over a year ago on medical grounds

 A UNIFIL automobile drives before a vehicle carrying the body of Irish soldier Sean Rooney who was killed on a UN peacekeeping Patrol, as it heads to Beirut airport to be repatriated, in Sidon, Lebanon December 18, 2022.

Lebanese military tribunal sentences man to death for murder of Irish UN peacekeeper

Private Seán Rooney, a private, was murdered while driving a UN vehicle through the village of Al-Aqbiya, Lebanon, in December 2022. 

 Wreath of flowers are placed near the coffin of Irish soldier Sean Rooney who was killed on a U.N. peacekeeping Patrol, during repatriation ceremony at Beirut international airport, in Beirut, Lebanon December 18, 2022.

UNIFIL faces harassment in Lebanon as gov’t promises ‘security’

Pro-Hezbollah activists harassing patrols may indicate a potential power vacuum in southern Lebanon if the government fails to act.

 UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) vehicles ride along a street in Marjaayoun, Southern Lebanon January 20, 2025.

Israel, US agree to cease UNIFIL ops. in southern Lebanon

The vote on the mandate in the United States Security Council is expected to occur within a few months.

 UNIFIL PEACEKEEPERS look out at the Lebanese-Israeli border, from the roof of a watchtower ‏in the town of Marwahin, in southern Lebanon, on Saturday.

Mother of Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon to sue UN - report

Sean Rooney was killed in 2022 while on a UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.

 Wreath of flowers are placed near the coffin of Irish soldier Sean Rooney who was killed on a U.N. peacekeeping Patrol, during repatriation ceremony at Beirut international airport, in Beirut, Lebanon December 18, 2022.

Israel behind 'main violations' of Lebanon ceasefire, UNIFIL spokesperson claims - BBC

UNIFIL troops said that while Israeli drones are constantly flying in the area, UNIFIL personnel have not seen any Hezbollah affiliates. 

 IDF operates in southern Lebanon, January 9, 2025.