And renews UN Security Council The 15-member annual mandate of the operation known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Following a month-long war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah group in 2006, the Security Council strengthened UNIFIL’s mandate in accordance with Resolution 1701.
What is the blue line?
Blue line It is a line drawn by the United Nations that separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights that it occupies.
Israeli forces withdrew to the Blue Line after their departure from southern Lebanon in 2000.
Any unauthorized crossing of the Blue Line by land or air from any side constitutes a violation of the decision Security Council No. 1701.
Where do peacekeepers work?
Extends area of operations Peacekeeping forces of the United Nations from the Litani River in the north to the Blue Line in the south.
The mission’s website indicates that it consists of more than 10,000 soldiers from 50 countries and about 800 civilian employees.
What does Resolution 1701 say?
The resolution allows peacekeeping forces to assist Lebanese Army To keep the area of operations free of weapons or militants not affiliated with the Lebanese state.
This sparked friction with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, which effectively controls southern Lebanon despite its presence Lebanese Army.
Resolution 1701 also stipulates that “the peacekeeping mission shall take all necessary measures in the areas of deployment of its forces and what it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not used for combat activities of any kind.”
How do peacekeeping forces deal with violations of Resolution 1701?
The peacekeeping mission is obligated to report all violations to the UN Security Council.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations submits a report to the Council every 4 months, “or at any time he deems appropriate,” on the implementation of Resolution 1701.
The site is useful UNIFIL Online that peacekeepers take precautionary measures when monitoring Blue linewhich also includes airspace, through coordination, communication, and patrolling to prevent violations.
Every time a violation occurs, “UNIFIL immediately deploys additional forces to that location if necessary to avoid a direct confrontation between the two sides and ensure that the situation is contained.”
The mission is also communicating with the Israeli and Lebanese armies “to diffuse the situation and end it without any escalation.”
Violations
The UN Secretary-General regularly reports violations of Resolution 1701 by both sides.
A November 2022 report to the Security Council stated that “Hezbollah and other armed groups’ continued retention of unauthorized weapons outside state control” constitutes a “serious and ongoing violation.”
The same report also said that “violations by aircraft andIsraeli marches “The continued presence of Lebanese airspace remains a source of deep concern.”
United Nations reports indicate that the freedom of movement of the international organization’s peacekeeping forces is subject to repeated obstacles.
