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UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, comes up for its annual renewal this Monday, it is far time that we examine whether or not UNIFIL is living up to its mandate, which is to secure a peaceful border between Lebanon and Israel. It is about to vote on a proposed French resolution to reduce its troop size from 15,000 to 13,000, however, one must ask if this is sufficient. Looking at its 42-year history, one has to wonder if any international force between Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon is actually of benefit, or whether it just inhibits the freedom of movement of the IDF to do what is necessary to defend themselves by themselves.
UNIFIL emerged as a result of a 5-day clash in 1978, between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) forces in southern Lebanon. Israel had originally gone into Lebanon because the PLO had constantly used Lebanese terrain to shell farms and villages in northern Israel, and to plan attacks on civilians. UNIFIL’s mandate calls for securing peaceful relations along the border between Israel and Lebanon.
This past Tuesday, Hezbollah fired shots from Lebanese territory aimed directly at IDF soldiers inside northern Israel, between two UNIFIL posts. The IDF responded swiftly, using attack helicopters and fighter jets to strike at Hezbollah’s posts inside Lebanon. This is the first time Israeli jets have struck within Lebanon since the 2006 War. The residents in the northern communities were ordered to stay at home, and flares went up throughout the region last night.
It looks like Hezbollah is itching to start a war, and this scenario seems all too reminiscent of the prelude to the 2006 war.
Read the full article here.
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