Hezbollah's hidden fortification uncovered by United Nations peacekeepers in south Lebanon
In the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese Army have been working tirelessly to maintain peace in southern Lebanon.
Recently, a tragic incident occurred as six Lebanese soldiers lost their lives in a blast at a weapons depot near the border. According to a military source, the depot belonged to Hezbollah. UNIFIL, whose main role is to monitor and report any violation of the ceasefire, has recorded 5,095 Israeli air violations since the truce began.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued regular strikes on what it claims are Hezbollah sites and operatives in Lebanon. One such site, hidden among trees and accessible only on foot, was hit by the Israeli military during the conflict. UNIFIL peacekeepers have since found 318 weapons caches in southern Lebanon.
A cannon of 152 mm caliber, likely Russian-made, was found at the site, adding to the concerns about Hezbollah's militarization. Under US pressure, Lebanon's government has tasked the army with a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year.
The UNIFIL peacekeeping force has been criticized for its limited effectiveness against Hezbollah's militarization. However, Colonel Arnaud de Coincy, a French commander in UNIFIL, stated that the force will continue to support the Lebanese army to help restore state authority to Lebanon's south.
The next step is for French troops to provide security in the area so the Lebanese Armed Forces can retrieve valuable assets. Colonel de Coincy conducted a reconnaissance in a valley near the village of Meri, and Captain Tanguy, commander of the French reconnaissance and intervention troops, is leading these efforts.
The Security Council has extended UNIFIL's mandate until the end of next year, with the force withdrawing by 2027. The definitive end to UNIFIL's mission was pushed for by the United States and welcomed by Israel.
In 2022, France provided troops for the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, part of the multinational UN peacekeeping force stationed there since 1978. The UNIFIL peacekeeping force has been working with the Lebanese army to enforce the November ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
However, the path to peace remains challenging. Hezbollah is required to withdraw from south Lebanon as part of the ceasefire deal, but it has yet to do so. The UNIFIL peacekeeping force will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining the fragile peace in southern Lebanon until its withdrawal in 2027.
