This was due to rising tensions and violent clashes between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah faction against the backdrop of the Gaza war. Of the 128 democratically elected MPs in Lebanon’s parliament, 62 belong to this armed group and its affiliates.
We have collected information for you about this important Security Council resolution amid dramatic developments in Lebanon. It is a proposal that has been instrumental in maintaining peace between Israel and Lebanon for the past two decades.
More than 10,000 peacekeepers under the flag of the United Nations are faithfully fulfilling their duties in implementing this proposal at the field level.
In 2006, Resolution 1701 was unanimously passed by the Security Council.
The Security Council took steps to end the war
The resolution was passed unanimously in 2006 and was intended to end the war between Hezbollah and Israel. The Security Council called for a permanent ceasefire based on the creation of a buffer zone.
The United Nations Mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was originally established by the Security Council in 1978 to verify Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, restore peace and security, and ensure that the Lebanese government exercises its sovereignty.
However, following the crisis and war of July/August 2006, the Security Council revived the mission and assigned it additional responsibilities beyond its original mandate.
The mission aims to de-escalate the conflict between the two sides, support the Lebanese Armed Forces following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and ensure the safe return of displaced persons.
UN peacekeepers are patrolling the Blue Line area in southern Lebanon.
What are the important provisions in this proposal?
In the 19-paragraph-long resolution, the Security Council called on Hezbollah to completely cease attacks and Israel to cease military operations altogether.
The resolution calls on Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire. At the same time, a long-term solution must be found based on the following principles:
- Full implementation of the relevant provisions of the Taif Agreement, Resolution 1559 (2004) and Resolution 1680 (2006), which would require the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, so that no power center other than the Lebanese state could emerge.
- Banning the presence of foreign troops in Lebanon without official permission
- Banning the sale or supply of arms to Lebanon without government approval.
- Information about the map of landmines in Lebanon, provided by Israel to the United Nations
- Both sides fully respect the Blue Line and take security measures to avoid clashes.
What is the ‘blue line’?
The so-called ‘Blue Line’, a 120km stretch between southern Lebanon and Israel’s northern border, is critical to peace in the region.
It is an important part of resolution 1701 after the war in 2006. According to the UN Peacekeeping Office, UNIFIL peacekeepers are the temporary guardians of this border line.
It is based on many historical maps, some of which are over 100 years old. The ‘Blue Line’ is not a border but a withdrawal line for security forces, established by the United Nations in 2000. The reason for this was to ensure the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from southern Lebanon.
Whenever Israeli or Lebanese administrative agencies intend to conduct an activity near the Blue Line, UNIFIL is requested to provide timely information.
This makes it possible for the UN mission to keep all parties informed, thereby reducing misunderstandings that can lead to tensions.
How is Resolution 1701 implemented?
UN peacekeeping ultimately said it was up to Israel and Lebanon to find a way for any future border.
UNIFIL’s mandate is to fully respect and prevent violations of the relevant provisions of Resolution 1701.
According to UN peacekeeping, crossing the ‘blue line’ by either side is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We, as UNIFIL, respond equally to all such violations.
The ground and skies of the ‘Blue Line’ are monitored by the UNIFIL mission. Coordination, coordination and patrols are carried out to prevent violations and all violations are brought to the attention of the Security Council.
In the event of an incident on any part of the Blue Line, UNIFIL deploys additional peacekeepers to avoid direct confrontation between the two sides.
In addition, the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli Army were contacted to reduce tensions and bring the situation under control without conflict.
A UN peacekeeping mission convoy passes through Naqora, Lebanon.
Current situation at the field level
Conflict along the ‘Blue Line’ has been ongoing for the past year following attacks by Hamas and other extremist groups in Israel. More than a thousand people were killed in these attacks in Israel and more than twenty-five people were taken hostage in Gaza.
Since then, Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have killed over 41,000 Palestinians, over 200 humanitarian aid workers and 200 journalists.
The Hezbollah group says its attacks against Israel are in solidarity with Palestinians facing a devastating war.
In response to these attacks, Israel has launched strikes inside Lebanon, detonating pagers and communications equipment, and is now preparing for ground military operations. At least 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon in recent days of violence.
Shelling around the Blue Line has been ongoing since 8 October 2023 and resolution 1701 has been repeatedly violated. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also sent a letter to the Security Council in July in this regard.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix visited Lebanon. (file)
Now what’s next?
On September 30, Israeli security forces informed UNIFIL of their intention to launch a limited-scale ground operation in Lebanon. On Tuesday, the UN mission gave this information in a statement.
A statement issued by UNIFIL said that “this is an extremely dangerous situation but peacekeepers remain at their deployment sites.”
The activities of the UN Mission are regularly modified and contingency plans are prepared. “The safety and security of peacekeepers is of paramount importance and all parties are reminded to respect their responsibilities.”
The United Nations Mission in Lebanon has more than 10,000 peacekeepers from more than 50 countries and conducts more than 14,000 operations a month, including border patrols.
Currently, UNIFIL continues to deploy peacekeepers and perform some duties, but vehicle patrols are not possible. UNIFIL said entering Lebanon by any means is a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is also a violation of Resolution 1701.
“We call on all parties to desist from actions that escalate the conflict, which only leads to more violence and bloodshed.” The UN mission reiterated that civilians must always be protected and that infrastructure should never be targeted.
“We strongly urge all parties to reaffirm their commitment to Security Council Resolution 1701, which is the only real solution to restore stability in the region.”
Can force be used by UNIFIL?
Yes, under certain circumstances.
Every year, at the request of Lebanon, the UNIFIL mission is renewed by the Security Council. It is a peacekeeping mission operated under Chapter VI of the UN Charter.
While performing mandatory duties, UNIFIL personnel may exercise their right of self-defense.
However, in addition, under certain circumstances and subject to conditions, UNIFIL may use periodic force as necessary.
- Preventing the use of United Nations mission areas for hostile activities
- To combat forceful resistance to UNIFIL from carrying out its obligations under the said mandate
- Protecting United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment
- Ensuring the safety and freedom of movement of UN staff and humanitarian aid workers
- Ensuring the protection of citizens at risk of physical violence