France, Lebanon Seek to Extend UN Peacekeeping Force in South Lebanon Past 2026

France and Lebanon are pushing to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) beyond its scheduled end in late 2026, a move that Israel opposes. Lebanon argues that the security situation has fundamentally changed since the original decision to end UNIFIL's mission, fearing a security vacuum if the force withdraws. Israel, however, contends that UNIFIL has failed in its mission to prevent the rearmament of Hezbollah.

Lebanon formally requested the extension in a letter to the UN Security Council this month. France and most Security Council members reportedly support the Lebanese request, despite significant pressure from Israel, which has long criticized UNIFIL's effectiveness. The push to keep the approximately 7,000-strong force in southern Lebanon comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which reignited in March 2026 following the October 2023 Hamas attack and escalated into open warfare.

The United States has historically been a key proponent of ending UNIFIL's mission, one of the UN's longest-running peacekeeping operations. However, it remains unclear if Washington will veto a new resolution extending the mandate. Sources suggest the US has recently recognized the need for some UNIFIL functions to continue in some form, but the specifics are still being determined. Both the US Mission to the UN and the Élysée Palace declined to comment.

France has been exploring options for a new international force to replace UNIFIL, potentially offering military assistance and training to the Lebanese army. This effort is complicated by the fact that UNIFIL personnel and bases have been caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel insists that any new peacekeeping mission must be part of direct negotiations with Beirut, not imposed externally.

UNIFIL was established in 1978 to monitor ceasefires between Israel and Palestinian groups operating from Lebanon. Its mandate and size have expanded over the decades. Despite UNIFIL's presence, the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has persisted, with significant escalation in recent years. Current Israeli forces occupy a security zone up to ten kilometers inside Lebanese territory, conducting daily strikes against alleged Hezbollah operatives.