Lebanese villagers dread looming UN peacekeeper pullout
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon has become part of the fabric of south Lebanese villages after decades spent monitoring border hostilities and supporting local communities.
Mark Diab, a resident of Ibl al-Saqi, a village near the Israeli border in south Lebanon, expressed his distress over the impending withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2026. For Diab, whose family has ties to UN peacekeepers, the UN's presence is more than just a job, it is a part of their "family."
The peacekeepers have supported the local economy, healthcare, education, and provided security to the village. However, with the UN's mandate set to end, Diab fears that the village will suffer economically and lose its sense of security and stability. The UNIFIL has served as a buffer since Israel's 1978 invasion of Lebanon, and its withdrawal will leave a significant vacuum, especially at a time when hostilities have led to the deaths of over 4,300 people since March 2023.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Lebanese villagers dread looming UN peacekeeper pullout freemalaysiatoday.com
- 'It's family': Lebanese villagers dread looming UN peacekeeper pullout al-monitor.com
