Europe Sticks to UNIFIL Amid Security Vacuum Looming in South Lebanon

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the EU supports extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

This comes as its mission nears completion at the end of this year amidst escalation with Israel, according to "AFP".

Kallas said in an interview with "AFP" on the sidelines of a visit to Lebanon where she met several officials: "Member states have always said that a security vacuum in southern Lebanon cannot be allowed, so everyone is concerned about the end of UNIFIL's mission."

She added: "Extending this mandate would be greatly welcomed and this is the position of member states" in the Union.

The UNIFIL force deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978 comprises around 7,500 personnel from nearly fifty countries. However, its deployment in the south has not prevented several conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, backed by Tehran.

Under American pressure, the Security Council decided in August 2025 to terminate the international force's mandate by December 31, 2026.

On March 2, Lebanon entered the war after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel, stating it was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the first US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Israel responded with intense airstrikes that killed more than 4,300 people and a ground incursion by its forces, which occupied dozens of towns and villages in southern Lebanon and carried out large-scale demolition operations.

Israel keeps its forces in an area it classifies as "security," reaching up to ten kilometers from its border, from which Lebanon demands withdrawal.

Stalled Path
Fighting subsided following the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States in June, then the signing of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel stipulating the disarmament of Hezbollah, gradual Israeli withdrawal from territories it penetrated in southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army starting from two "pilot" areas.

This path has not yet made progress.

Under the agreement, a committee must verify compliance by the relevant parties before proceeding with implementation.

Kallas said: "A body must take charge of verifying whether both parties are adhering to their agreements."

She added: "As long as there is no international force ready to do so... the situation becomes dangerous when one mission, like UNIFIL, ends while another mission has not yet begun."