'It's family': Lebanese villagers dread looming UN peacekeeper pullout
From his shop in south Lebanon near the Israeli border, Mark Diab says life in his village will be turned upside down when a decades-long United Nations peacekeeping force pulls out next year. "UNIFIL isn't just business, to us it's family," said Diab, 59, whose sister is among residents of Ibl al-Saqi who have married peacekeepers from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon over the years. She now…
Unifil, a United Nations peacekeeping force stationed in Lebanon since 1978, is set to withdraw by the end of 2026, causing worry among villagers in south Lebanon. Mark Diab, a resident and shop owner in Ibl al-Saqi, states that the peacekeepers have become part of the community, resembling family members. Diab fears the withdrawal will negatively impact their lives, their businesses, and the security they have relied on for decades.
The force has served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, monitoring border tensions and providing humanitarian assistance. Mayor George Rahhal, who has Norwegian citizenship, emphasizes that the peacekeepers have brought stability and support to the community, including healthcare, schools, and economic opportunities. However, the UN Security Council voted to end Unifil's mandate, fearing a security vacuum as the Lebanese army cannot fully deploy in the south due to ongoing conflicts.
The withdrawal will have significant economic repercussions for the community, with many residents being employees or contractors of Unifil.
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