UN peacekeepers claim spike in Israeli hostility along Lebanon border

UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon have reported a sharp rise in hostile incidents involving Israeli forces over the past year, raising alarm among the United Nations and troop-contributing nations about violations of peace agreements and the fragile ceasefire along the Blue Line. An internal report from one of the 48 countries contributing to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) shows encounters escalating from one in January to 27 in December, with drones, machine-gun fire, and other aggressive actions threatening patrols that have maintained peace for nearly five decades.

Peacekeepers have endured a range of dangerous encounters, including Israeli drones dropping grenades near patrols, small-arms fire within meters of UN positions, and flare mortar rounds landing at peacekeeping sites. UNIFIL has called these acts violations of Security Council Resolution 1701, which governs conduct along the border and mandates protection of civilians and international forces. Several incidents damaged vehicles, forced temporary suspensions of patrols, and disrupted reconstruction efforts alongside the Lebanese army.

The surge in tension coincides with continued Israeli strikes across southern and eastern Lebanon, which Israel says target Hezbollah militants and infrastructure. UN officials and Lebanon warn these operations harm civilians, disrupt agriculture, and violate international agreements. Reports indicate fortified Israeli positions north of the Blue Line restrict Lebanese troop deployment and threaten the safe return of displaced communities.

The Israel-Hezbollah front has been volatile since a Hamas-linked October 2023 attack on Israel prompted Hezbollah to fire rockets from Lebanon, escalating into a full-scale war in late 2024. A US- and French-brokered ceasefire ended the fighting, but repeated violations and near-daily Israeli operations keep the border tense.

Amid the friction, diplomatic steps are emerging. In December 2025, Israel and Lebanon held the first direct talks in decades to implement the 2024 ceasefire, address border security, and facilitate the release of Lebanese hostages. While these discussions are limited, analysts say they represent a rare effort to stabilize a long-stalled relationship and prevent a return to all-out conflict.

UNIFIL’s mandate, nearing its scheduled end in 2026, is under review. Lebanese officials have called for a neutral international force to succeed UNIFIL and assist the Lebanese army in monitoring the border. Proposals include an expanded role for the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) or an observer mission supported by the European Union. Meanwhile, peacekeepers continue to coordinate with Lebanese troops to maintain calm in a region scarred by decades of war.

The situation along the Blue Line remains volatile , with daily patrols shadowed by drones, strikes, and uncertainty. UNIFIL’s presence, though ending soon, underscores the persistent challenge of maintaining peace between Israel and Lebanon while protecting civilians and enforcing international agreements.