What happened
The situation in southern Lebanon remains volatile, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) told UN News on 11 November, even though hostilities have decreased significantly since an agreement reached in June between the United States, Lebanon and Israel. The force is preparing to leave the country after 48 years.
Violations every day
Speaking from Naqoura, UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel said daily violations by Israeli forces are still observed across southern Lebanon: construction of military positions and roads, military operations, demolitions, airstrikes and artillery fire.
On Tuesday, a routine UNIFIL patrol near Wadi Jilu was fired upon. The peacekeepers returned fire and the shooting stopped, with no injuries reported. The force has asked the Lebanese Government for a prompt investigation.
Families come home to ruins
According to the latest UN data, the number of displaced people who have returned home has risen by 13% since September, to nearly 1 million. Around 304,500 people remain displaced.
“We’re seeing kids going back to school. We’re seeing farmers trying to harvest their crops, particularly olive crops. But they’re coming back to a really difficult situation,” Ms. Ardiel said. Electricity networks, water systems and roads have been destroyed in many villages and will need to be rebuilt.
The end of a mission
UNIFIL was established by the Security Council on 19 March 1978, and its first peacekeepers arrived on 23 March 1978. In August 2025, the Council voted unanimously not to renew its mandate beyond the end of 2026, so preparations for withdrawal are expected to start in January 2027.
“We know the Security Council is considering options, but so far nothing has been decided,” Ms. Ardiel said. Beyond its security role, the mission employs local staff and supports the economy of southern Lebanon. She stressed that impartial monitoring and international engagement will remain essential for the country’s stability.
What remains to be confirmed
This article relies on a single source, UN News. What might replace UNIFIL has not been decided, and the source includes no reaction from the Israeli or Lebanese authorities.
