United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has presented three options for establishing a new international security presence in southern Lebanon after the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expires on December 31, 2026.
According to a report in the Ottumwa Courier, the proposed frameworks would require between nearly 2,000 and more than 5,500 personnel.
The mission concepts are designed to provide monitoring along the Israel-Lebanon border, support de-escalation efforts, and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in maintaining stability.
U.N. chief proposes options to help end Israel-Hezbollah conflict after peacekeepers leave Lebanon https://t.co/T6ju7fDMus
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) June 3, 2026
The proposals come after the U.N. Security Council voted last year to terminate UNIFIL, ending a peacekeeping mission that has operated along the Blue Line separating Lebanon and Israel since 1978.
Guterres’ recommendations seek to address concerns about a potential security gap following the force’s departure.
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, criticized the plan, arguing it attempts to bypass the decision to end UNIFIL and describing the mission as ineffective.
In contrast, Lebanon’s U.N. ambassador, Ahmad Arafa, welcomed the report, while China’s envoy Fu Cong urged continued international involvement to prevent a security vacuum in the region.
