The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established in 1978 with high hopes: to oversee Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace, and help Lebanon reassert authority over its southern regions.

Decades later, UNIFIL has not only failed to achieve these goals but has also become a silent witness—and complicit enabler—of terrorist Hezbollah’s entrenchment in southern Lebanon. It is time to confront this failure and terminate UNIFIL’s mandate, replacing it with initiatives that address the root causes of this instability.

Hezbollah’s stranglehold on southern Lebanon

Southern Lebanon, under Hezbollah’s de facto control, is a hotbed of terrorist activity disguised as civilian operations. Fundamental freedom of movement is restricted, particularly in areas where Hezbollah’s military infrastructure is known to exist. UNIFIL patrols have been regularly obstructed by Hezbollah operatives in the area, who block roads and confiscate cameras to prevent documentation of their activities.

Hezbollah’s dominance extends beyond physical obstruction. By embedding itself into the fabric of Lebanese society, the group has successfully manipulated international peacekeeping efforts. “Civilians” near the Israeli border, often observed photographing military installations, are undoubtedly Hezbollah operatives, yet UNIFIL is instructed to withdraw rather than confront them. The fear of repercussions and a lack of precise enforcement…