19 Facts About UNIFIL

UNIFIL's mandate is renewed annually by the United Nations Security Council; it was most recently extended on 31 August 2022 with the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2650.

UNIFIL made its headquarters in Naqoura close to the Lebanese-Israeli border.

UNIFIL began patrolling operations and established a series of positions including checkpoints, roadblocks and observation posts.

Naval component of UNIFIL was set up to assist the Lebanese Navy as an interim measure to prevent arms proliferation to Hezbollah while the Lebanese Navy builds its capacity.

UNIFIL was accused of having stepped up its patrols and of failing to coordinate with the Lebanese Army.

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UNIFIL peacekeepers were in the area where the clashes took place.

However, the fighting increasingly intensified, so the small contingent of UNIFIL forces was ordered to retreat or find cover then report back to the base.

However, current and former UNIFIL officials said that at that point in the conflict, it was out of peacekeepers' hands.

One former UNIFIL official explained that he has been in these situations before, and when the opposing sides are determined to shoot each other, there is nothing UNIFIL force can do.

Post 2006, UNIFIL was deployed throughout Southern Lebanon and primarily along the United Nations-drawn Blue Line, the border between Israel and Lebanon.

UNIFIL has played an important role in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in the underdeveloped region of Southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL has addressed the accusations of bias levied by both sides.

On 26 July 2006, a former spokesman stated that upon the mission's deployment in 1978, UNIFIL was "accused of being sympathetic to Palestinians", as Hezbollah had not yet been established.

UNIFIL came under criticism during the 2006 Lebanon War for broadcasting detailed reports of Israeli troop movements, numbers, and positions on their website which "could have exposed Israeli soldiers to grave danger", while making no such reports about Hezbollah.

UNIFIL forces have offered various services to the locals, and have introduced elements of their own culture.

India's UNIFIL contingent has carried out small-scale development projects, operates medical and dental clinics, veterinary care for local animals, and runs entertainment camps for children and yoga classes.

The Indonesian UNIFIL contingent gained a good reputation among the South Lebanese people through the Civil Military Coordination program implemented by the contingent.

Israel accused UNIFIL of failing to prevent Hezbollah's rearmament and thus failing to implement Resolution 1701.

On 24 June 2007, six UNIFIL soldiers were killed after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device; two others were injured in the incident.