UNIFIL: Peace is an ongoing responsibility

Issued by UNIFIL:

As the world observes the International Day of Peace today, and while local communities in southern Lebanon continue to suffer the consequences of conflict, peacekeepers marked the occasion with a small ceremony yesterday evening at the UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura.

UNIFIL's Force Commander and Head of Mission, Major General Deodato Abaniara, said in a brief speech: "Peace is not something we address once a year; it is an ongoing responsibility. We conduct patrols and maintain open communication channels with all parties to reduce the risks of misunderstanding and escalation. We also work alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces as they assume greater responsibilities in the south."

The hostilities between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces have left deep humanitarian and material scars across southern Lebanon. The current conflict has forced thousands to flee their homes, with many still displaced. It has disrupted livelihoods, caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure, and resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Civilians on both sides of the Blue Line continue to live under tension and fear.

Today, peace in southern Lebanon remains elusive, but hope for its achievement endures. This is the aspiration underscored by peacekeepers on the International Day of Peace—lasting peace demands political commitments and solutions from the parties themselves. While peacekeeping forces can help restore stability, prevent misunderstandings, and mitigate escalation risks, they cannot replace political will or the necessary decisions required to permanently end the conflict.

Major General Abaniara added: "The responsibility to achieve a political solution lies with the parties involved, and UNIFIL will continue its role by keeping communication channels open, reducing escalation risks, and supporting diplomatic efforts."

Speaking about United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, Major General Abaniara stated that "full implementation of this resolution remains the goal and foundation for achieving lasting peace and stability in southern Lebanon."

He also emphasized that continued cooperation between the Lebanese Armed Forces and peacekeeping forces remains essential for maintaining stability and supporting the state’s authority in the south.

The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace in 1981, dedicating the day to calls for a ceasefire and the rejection of violence, serving as an opportunity for all to promote values of tolerance, justice, and human rights. In 2001, the General Assembly unanimously adopted the day as a period dedicated to rejecting violence and halting hostilities.

It should be noted that this celebration marks UNIFIL’s final observance of the International Day of Peace before the end of its mandate at the close of the year, following the Security Council’s decision in 2025 to terminate the mission."