Israel wanted to close the story - France and Lebanon reopened it

Israel seeks to end the UNIFIL mission in southern Lebanon by the end of 2026, but France and Lebanon are working to keep the force in place, fearing a security vacuum. The diplomatic struggle unfolds against renewed fighting with Hezbollah, the presence of the IDF in a security zone, and difficulties in establishing an alternative multinational force.

Israel seeks to end the UNIFIL mission in southern Lebanon by the end of 2026, but France and Lebanon are working to keep the force in place, fearing a security vacuum. In a letter sent by Lebanon to the Security Council, it was claimed that the situation has changed since the decision to end the mission. France and most Council members support the Lebanese request, despite Israeli pressure. The US has so far supported ending the mission, but it is unclear whether it will veto an extension. The diplomatic struggle unfolds against renewed fighting with Hezbollah, which began in March 2026, and the presence of the IDF in a security zone up to ten kilometers deep inside Lebanon. Efforts to establish an alternative multinational force have encountered difficulties, and Israel demands that any new arrangement be the result of direct negotiations with Beirut. According to Lebanese sources, more than 4,300 people have been killed and nearly a million displaced. Israel claims that Hezbollah has placed military infrastructure within civilian areas, and that its attacks have killed more than 30 Israeli soldiers and civilians.