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The UN Security Council on Thursday voted to renew the UN Interim Force in Lebanon’s mandate for the final time, ensuring it will be wound down from December 2026.

The future of UNIFIL, established nearly five decades ago by the UNSC, has been the subject of debate for some time. Formed in 1978 to monitor Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, UNIFIL has played a significant role in supporting peace and security, while assisting the Lebanese government in restoring its authority. Since the start of the Gaza war, UNIFIL bases have been the target of Israeli forces on multiple occasions, while Tel Aviv, in parallel with its attacks, has been lobbying to end the mission’s mandate.

When Israel attacked a UNIFIL base last October, Turkiye stated that the force’s role was more important than ever, as Tel Aviv was trying to expand its war in the region. Turkiye has been contributing to UNIFIL since 2006, providing essential support for both land and naval operations. The Turkish parliament has annually renewed the mandate for the continued deployment of its troops within the mission.

UNIFIL is widely seen as an essential peacekeeping buffer between Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah. While several Western countries, increasingly frustrated with Israel’s destabilizing actions in the region, have continued to support the mission, Israel has intensified its efforts to pressure the US — which has already raised doubts about UNIFIL’s cost-effectiveness and has reduced its funding — to close it down. Although some American officials, such as Tom Barrack, the ambassador to Turkiye and special envoy to Syria, have highlighted the mission’s importance, Washington agreed that the mandate should end.

Israel has been working to undermine UNIFIL and delegitimize its mission as part of its broader strategy toward Lebanon

Dr. Sinem Cengiz

Israel has been working to undermine UNIFIL and delegitimize its mission as part of its broader strategy toward Lebanon. UNIFIL is not merely a monitoring mission; it is a commitment to peace and diplomacy in a region threatened by Israel. Ending this mission’s mandate serves Israel’s objective of closing the channels of diplomatic pressure.

Rather than dismantling the mission, it should be strengthened to support the Lebanese army, which has yet to establish full control over the southern part of the country. In this situation, the presence of UNIFIL is more important than ever. As UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti has warned, its closure will create a very dangerous situation, in which impartial monitoring will be very difficult.

With Israel continuing to act with impunity, dismantling the peacekeeping force could create a security vacuum along the Israeli-Lebanese border that would have broader implications for stability in the Middle East. Moreover, the mission helps to keep Lebanon on the international agenda — a fact that partly explains Israel’s pressure on the US to oppose the mission.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has consistently urged the US to veto UNIFIL’s renewal at the UNSC. With UNIFIL’s mandate ending, Israel will be freer to destabilize Lebanon at a time when the country is trying to strengthen its institutions under a new government and presidency. Both Europe and Turkiye understand that UNIFIL’s absence could pave the way for further instability in the region.

Currently, UNIFIL operates on both land and sea, patrolling the area between the Litani River and the Israeli-Lebanese border (the Blue Line) and protecting Lebanese coastal waters. As part of the maritime component, the Turkish navy’s TCG Beykoz (F-503) corvette conducts regular patrols. Turkiye also contributes to UNIFIL’s land operations. Although limited in number, the Turkish military personnel stationed at UNIFIL headquarters are involved in coordination and monitoring. Ankara also supports the mission’s humanitarian work, helping to ensure that aid reaches civilians in conflict-affected areas. Therefore, Turkish personnel contribute to both the operational and humanitarian roles of UNIFIL.

Dismantling the peacekeeping force could create a security vacuum along the Israeli-Lebanese border

Dr. Sinem Cengiz

The mission is made up of more than 10,000 peacekeepers who, while often trained soldiers in their home countries, do not engage in combat. Among the 50 contributing countries, Turkiye is the only one in the region. Although Turkiye’s troop numbers have declined over the past decade — with 92 personnel currently deployed — it continues to play a significant role. In 2013, when Turkiye had four times more troops assigned to the mission, there were reports that it had considered withdrawing after two Turkish civilian pilots were kidnapped in Lebanon. But it remained firmly committed to supporting UNIFIL’s mission.

At a time when more diplomatic action should be directed against Israel, the UNSC is instead ending the mission of one of the last pillars of regional stability. So, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was not wrong when he said years ago that the fate of the world cannot be left in the hands of just five permanent UNSC member states. UNIFIL is still significant today, as it not only supports Lebanon but also the regional states that aim to help Lebanon rebuild itself.

Turkiye and the other regional states are aware that Israel’s attacks on UNIFIL and its lobbying of the US to end its mission are likely part of a broader strategy aimed at expanding its occupation in Lebanon. Thus, until December 2026, UNIFIL will have its hands full dealing with Israel’s actions, Hezbollah’s situation and, most importantly, its role in terms of regional stability.

• Dr. Sinem Cengiz is a Turkish political analyst who specializes in Turkiye’s relations with the Middle East. X: @SinemCngz