Netherlands wants UN peacekeepers in Lebanon beyond December deadline

The Netherlands is urging the United Nations to extend the mandate of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon beyond the December 31 deadline, a Dutch minister declared. Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, the minister for foreign trade and development cooperation, expressed hope that discussions among nations would result in an extension, although he acknowledged the difficulty of the task.

He emphasized the critical role of the UN peacekeeping force, Unifil, in maintaining stability in Lebanon, describing its extension as a top priority. The minister spoke following a meeting with Lebanese Social Affairs Minister Haneen Sayed in Nabatieh, where he announced additional Dutch funding for Lebanon and the UN Human Rights Office.

Following a U.S. push, the UN Security Council recently decided to end Unifil's mandate following a 47-year presence in Lebanon. A year-long withdrawal is now anticipated to begin. The Dutch minister stated that he did not wish to contemplate a post-Unifil scenario and aimed to ensure the force's continued presence beyond the deadline.

Israel has criticized Unifil for its perceived inability to curb Hezbollah's military footprint in southern Lebanon. Concerns exist that Unifil's withdrawal could result in a security gap, given that Israeli forces occupy about seven percent of Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has also advocated for prolonging Unifil's presence.

The Dutch minister also condemned Israel's ongoing attacks on civilians, journalists, and aid workers in the region, calling for an immediate end. Diplomatic pressure was placed on Israel by the Dutch minister, who commented on the Israeli military's strikes on Nabatieh Al Fawqa. There had been at least one loud explosion during the delegation's visit.

Despite a framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon in late June aimed at ending hostilities, Israel has continued to destroy villages within its so-called "security zone" and launch attacks both within and beyond the occupied area. The Dutch foreign minister held "critical" talks with the Israeli foreign minister concerning Israel's stance in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Tensions between Israel and the Netherlands have escalated recently, mirroring the discord between Israel and several other European nations. The recent discord stemmed from a Dutch ban on trading goods from illegal Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. The minister acknowledged that diplomatic pressure on Israel had not yielded significant results thus far, but pledged to continue pushing for change, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law justice in The Hague.