United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

UNIFIL base, 1981

UNIFIL Sisu Pasi in the snow, close to the Israeli border in South-Lebanon, 1998

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, was created by the United Nations, with the adoption of Security Council Resolution 425 and 426 on March 19, 1978, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five days prior, restore international peace and security, and help the Government of Lebanon restore its effective authority in the area.^[1]

The first UNIFIL troops were deployed in the area on March 23, 1978; these troops were reassigned from other UN peacekeeping operations in the area (namely the United Nations Emergency Force and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone).^[1]

During the occupation, UNIFIL's function was mainly to provide humanitarian aid.^[2]

UNIFIL's current mandate expires on August 31, 2010.^[3]

Mandate

UNIFIL is tasked with achieving the following objectives:

• Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon
• Restore international peace and security
• Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area

Mandating resolutions by the United Nations:

• January 31, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1655^[4]
• July 31, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1697^[5]
• August 11, 2006: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701^[6]

Lebanese civil war (until 1990)

Saad Haddad (right) in a conversation with Norwegian Norbatt IV field priest major Ole Askvig Øgaard and other Norwegian UNIFIL personnel in a hotel in the Israeli town of Metula.

Prior to the 1982 Lebanon War on 2 January 1982, in which two Ghanaian soldiers guarding a UNIFIL position were attacked by unidentified persons and one of the soldiers was shot and subsequently died.^[7] During the 1982 Lebanon War, UN positions were overrun, primarily by the SLA forces under Saad Haddad. This was the Lebanese paramilitary force supported by the IDF in Southern Lebanon.^[2] Beginning in 1985, Israel scaled back its permanent positions in Lebanon, although this process was punctuated by brief invasions and bombings, as in Operation Accountability in 1993 and Operation Grapes of Wrath in 1996. In 1999, Israel undertook a withdrawal, which concluded in 2000 and enabled UNIFIL to resume its military tasks.

Post-2006 war operations

UNIFIL base

UNIFIL is currently deployed in Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River) and primarily along the United Nations-drawn Blue Line, which is the border between Israel and Lebanon. The force's activities have centered around monitoring military activity between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defense Forces with the aim of reducing tensions and allaying tension along the border. UNIFIL has also played an important role in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in the underdeveloped region of Southern Lebanon. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which passed as a result of the 2006 Lebanon War, its mandate and rules of engagement changed. The mandate changed to allow up to 15,000 personnel in order to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in deploying in Southern Lebanon to implement the Lebanese government's sovereignty. The rules of engagement changed to allow the troops to open fire in certain cases: mostly in cases of self-defense but also in order to protect civilians, UN personnel and facilities.[2] The new resolution states that UNIFIL can “take all the necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces, and as it deems with its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind.”^[8] On August 27, 2006, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that UNIFIL would not intercept arms shipments from Syria, unless requested to do so by Lebanon.^[9]

Maritime Task Force

After the 2006 Lebanon War, the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force (MTF) was established to assist the Lebanese Naval Forces in preventing the smuggling of illegal shipments in general and armament shipments in particular. With its establishment in October 2006, the force was led by the German Navy which was also the major contributor to the force.^[10] The Germans lead the MTF up until February 29, 2008 when they passed control over to EUROMARFOR - a force made up of ships from Portugal, Spain, Italy and France (of which the latter three countries sent vessels to the force in Lebanon).^[11][12] As of May 2008, the German Navy is still the biggest contributor to the UNIFIL MTF sending four vessels. These four vessels are complemented by two Italian, two Greek, one French, one Spanish, one Bulgarian and one Turkish vessel to comprise the 12-vessel UNIFIL Maritime Task Force.^[12]

Personnel

C.I.S.S. humanitarian staff with Italian UNIFIL soldiers in Lebanon

As of April 30, 2008, UNIFIL employs 12,341 military personnel, supported by some 307 international civilian and 606 local civilian staff^[13] and it is headed by Spanish Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta.^[14]

To date UNIFIL has suffered 272 fatalities: 261 troops, two military observers, five international civilian staff, and four local staff.^[14]

Concerns over UNIFIL presence and neutrality

Israeli concerns

UNIFIL has fallen out of favour with both Israel and Hezbollah. Israel has criticized the force for, amongst other things, maintaining a dialogue with Hezbollah, which it views as a terrorist organization, for treating Israeli and Lebanese (and more specifically, Hezbollah) violations of security council resolution 1701 equally, while Israel views its violations of Lebanese airspace as less severe than Lebanese violations including crossings of the blue line and rocket launchings. UNIFIL was accused of complicity in the fatal abduction of IDF soldiers in October 2000, and Israel further blamed it for obstructing its investigation by denying the existence of and then once the existence was leaked, refusing to supply videos of the attack for several months.^[15][16]

Prior to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict of July 2006, Israel had been lobbying for UNIFIL to either take a more active role vis-a-vis Hezbollah (for example, preventing Hezbollah from stationing near UNIFIL posts to fire at the IDF and into northern Israel) or to step out of the region (thereby voiding the Lebanese government’s excuse for not deploying Lebanese Armed Forces along the border).^[17]

UNIFIL also came under criticism during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict for broadcasting detailed reports of Israeli troop movements, numbers, and positions on their website which "could have exposed Israeli soldiers to grave danger", while making no such reports about Hezbollah.^[18]

Israel was concerned when it was reported that Indonesia was being considered to replace Italy as commander of UNIFIL's naval force. As Indonesia does not recognize Israel, and the two countries have no diplomatic or military relations, Israel expressed concerned that cooperation with the IDF, especially the Israeli Navy, could deteriorate.^[19]

Hezbollah concerns

Hezbollah supporters have accused UNIFIL of siding with Israel, especially since the passage of Resolution 1701 which they view as one-sided. On October 16, 2006 Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah declared that the UN force had “come to protect Israel, not Lebanon”.

Protecting Israel or Lebanon?

Due to geographic proximity and common security concerns, the Middle East has become the most important region in EU foreign policy. European engagement in UNIFIL II, led particularly by France, Italy and Spain, is considered by Joschka Fischer, former German Foreign Minister as “crossing the Rubicon”19 – essentially passing a point of no return. Member State participation is an irreversible step for the EU in the Mediterranean and the broader Middle East, even as it moves from being a “payer”, through its European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and the European Commission, to becoming a “player” on the ground, via the civilian and military missions of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) emanating from the European Council. European caution to act in Lebanon was compounded by the inherent political implications and the severe sensitivities of the setting. Germany, for instance, was skeptical about making its first return to the Middle East since World War II, and was not perceived as an impartial actor due to controversial comments made by Chancellor Angela Merkel stating that any force deployed was there to protect Israel.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) authorizes UNIFIL to take “all necessary action” to ensure that the areas under its mandate are not used for “hostile activities.” This may result in UNIFIL being urged to confront Hizbullah or other armed groups in southern Lebanon, thus placing UNIFIL staff in danger of being seen as the enemy. in Resolution 1701’s final pre-ambular paragraph, the following was inserted: “determining that the situation in Lebanon constitutes a threat to international peace and security.” This language is derived directly from Chapter VII logic, and not that of Chapter VI, which is concerned with the “Pacific settlement of disputes.”

Resolution 1701 clearly envisions that the long-term solution to this conflict rests on the need to disarm “all armed groups”, in keeping with Resolution 1559 (previously rejected by Hizbullah), to establish a buffer zone free of any “armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the government,” and also a de facto arms embargo on Lebanon, except for those authorized by the government itself. In other words, Israel and the US are openly interpreting this resolution as a de facto enforcement mechanism for 1559. Moreover, Resolution 1701 requires that all states agree to an arms embargo, as well as to the prohibition of any ‘technical training or assistance’ save that authorized by the Lebanese government. This is clearly intended to attempt at severing links between Hizbullah and Iran and Syria. Interestingly, there is no mention of any arms restrictions on Israel.

Conflict in 2006

According to UNIFIL press releases, there have been dozens of such incidents of UN posts coming under fire during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.^[20] In his 21 July 2006 report about the UNIFIL activities 21 January-18 July 2006, the UN Secretary-General stated that "Some Hezbollah positions remained in close proximity to United Nations positions, especially in the Hula area, posing a significant security risk to United Nations personnel and equipment."^[21]

Combat-related incidents

• On July 17, a UNIFIL international staff member and his wife were killed when Israeli aircraft bombed the Hosh District of Tyre, Lebanon.
• On July 23, Hezbollah fire wounded an Italian observer.
• On July 25, Hezbollah opened small arms fire at a UNIFIL convoy, forcing it to retreat.
• On July 25, four soldiers from the Ghanaian battalion were lightly injured after an Israeli tank shell hit a UNIFIL position during fighting in Southern Lebanon on 24 July 2006.^[22]
• Shrapnel from tank shells fired by the IDF seriously wounded an Indian soldier on 16 July 2006^[23]
• On 25 July 2006 four UNTSO observers from Austria, Canada, China and Finland were killed by Israeli strikes on an OGL patrol base near Khiam in southern Lebanon. According to the UN, the Israelis claimed to be responding to "Hezbollah fire from that vicinity" and the four had taken shelter in a bunker under the post. The area around the site was hit by a precision guided bomb from an Israeli jet and shelled a total of 14 times by Israeli artillery^[24] throughout the day despite warning calls made by UN personnel to the IDF.^[25] However, General Alain Pellegrini, then commander of UNIFIL, claims that he attempted to call Israeli officials "five or six times", but never got past their secretaries. Later, Israeli artillery shelling resumed as a rescue team tried to clear the rubble.^[26]
• On 29 July, two Indian soldiers were wounded when their post was damaged during an Israeli airstrike in Southern Lebanon.
• On 6 August, a Hezbollah rocket hit the headquarters of the Chinese UNIFIL contingent, wounding three Chinese soldiers.
• On 12 August, a Ghanaian soldier was wounded when Israeli artillery shelled the area near the village of Haris.
• On 14 August, Israeli aircraft fired two missiles onto a Palestinian faction in Saida, killing UN staff member Abdel Sagir.

Reinforcements

Italian Soldier on guard during UNIFIL

Following the cease-fire, the UNIFIL will receive vast reinforcement, up to 15 000 men, and heavy equipment. France is committed to increase her complement from 400 to 2,000 men and send Leclerc heavy tanks and AMX 30 AuF1 self-propelled artillery ^[27], in addition to the forces deployed in Opération Baliste. Italy will send 3,000 troops.^[28]Qatar will send between 200 and 300 troops.^[29]

A naval component of UNIFIL is being set up to assist the Lebanese Navy preventing arms proliferation to Hezbollah. This force is under the command of a German admiral with the majority of vessels being provided by the German Navy.

Indonesian contingent has received 12 VAB(Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé) on February 17, 2007, as the part of the second wave of shipment from the agreement between the French and Indonesian governments. Amongst the equipments sent with the second wave of VABs are 10 tool boxes (pioneering equipment), 10 armored vehicle radio communications unit, HMG (Heavy Machine Gun) shooter shield, and 40 water jerrycans.^[30]

On March 16, 2009 KRI Diponegoro, a Sigma class corvette join UNIFIL Naval Task Force.

On April 13, 2010 Indonesian Contingent has reveived 13 Pindad APS-3 known as the Anoa APC, designated as Mechanized Unit at UNIFIL Headquarter in Naqoura.

Incidents involving Israeli planes

On the 3 October 2006, an Israeli fighter penetrated the 2-nautical-mile (3.7 km) defence perimeter of the French frigate Courbet, triggering a diplomatic incident. Israel apologised after official protests from the French government ^[31][32].

On 24 October, six Israeli F-16s flew over a German vessel patrolling off Israel's coast just south of the Lebanese border. The German Defence Ministry said that the planes had given off infrared decoys and one of the aircraft had fired two shots into the air, which had not been specifically aimed. The Israeli military said that a German helicopter took off from the vessel without having coordinated this with Israel, and denied vehemently having fired any shots at the vessel and said "as of now" it also had no knowledge of the jets launching flares over it. Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz telephoned his German counterpart Franz Josef Jung to clarify that 'Israel has no intention to carry out any aggressive actions' against the German peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, who are there as part of UNIFIL to enforce an arms embargo against Hezbollah. Germany confirmed the consultations, and that both sides were interested in maintaining good cooperation.^[33][34][35]

On 31 October 2006, eight Israeli F-15s flew over many areas of Lebanon, including Beirut.^[36][37] The IAF jets also flew over a French peacekeeper position in Lebanon. According to the French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, the planes came in at what was interpreted as an attack formation, and the peacekeepers were "seconds away" from firing at the jets with an anti aircraft missile.^[38]

In a report to the Security Council, Annan reported that there were no serious incidents or confrontations, but that peacekeepers reported Israeli flyovers "almost on a daily basis". Israel claimed that the flyovers were to prevent Hezbollah from receiving arms shipments from Syria or Iran.^[39]

UNIFIL commander Alain Pellegrini and the United Nations claimed that Israeli flyovers violated the cease-fire and Lebanese sovereignty. General Pellegrini and French officials warned that if the diplomatic efforts to stop the overflights failed, Israeli jets may suffer attacks by French peacekeepers.^[40] In 2007, the Lebanese Army fired on an Israeli UAV with small arms south of Tyre.^[41]

Post-conflict situation

On 24 June 2007, six UNIFIL soldiers (three Colombians and three Spanish) were killed after their vehicle was hit by an explosive device; two others (both Spanish) were injured in the incident.^[42] No group has yet admitted responsibility. The Israeli military believed the attack to be the work of al-Qaeda/Global Jihad members.^[43]

The Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Ambassador Dan Carmon, met with UNIFIL commander, Maj.-Gen. Claudio Graziano, on 15 August 2008, after Israel was accused of unilaterally violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 by the almost daily overflights of Lebanese airspace, the continued occupation of the village of Ghajar and Israel's refusal to submit maps of areas on which it dropped cluster munitions during the 2006 Lebanese war.^[44]

Following the war, British military historian John Keegan predicted that Israel would in the future invade Lebanon and continue attacking until Hezbollah's system of tunnels and bunkers was completely destroyed, as Israel would not tolerate a "zone of invulnerability" occupied by a sworn enemy, or a double threat posed by Hezbollah and Hamas rockets, and that Israel might first attack the Gaza Strip. Keegan noted that any IDF entry into Southern Lebanon would risk provoking a clash with UNIFIL, but that it is unlikely to deter Israel, as the Jewish state tends to behave with "extreme ruthlessness" when national survival is at skate.^[45]

In 2010, a series of standoffs and clashes erupted between UNIFIL troops and Lebanese villagers in the border region. Villagers accused French peacekeepers of provocative and intrusive patrols, and of taking pictures of people inside their homes. People of Aitaroun town, Marjayoun, accused the French regiments of driving their heavy vehicles through their two-month old tobacco fields, which support many families. UNIFIL was also accused of having stepped up its patrols and of failing to coordinate with the Lebanese Army. In July 2010, the most serious incident occurred when the French regiments decided to carry out exercises unilaterally, without Lebanese units or other regiments. When they went into narrow alleys of Lebanese villages some residents first tried to redirect them out of their private areas. The French fired against the civilians, also arrested a youth driving a motorcycle and destroyed the vehicle. When other civilians saw that, they surrounded and attacked the UNIFIL French troops and without any weapons. The vehicles windows were also smashed by stones from dozens of civilians of all ages, and the French commander was wounded. The French troops were forcibly disarmed by the villagers, and weapons were then handed over to the Lebanese Army. The French unit could not explain why they behaved unilaterally. Their ambassador to the UN said the civilian attack 'was not spontaneous'. Many troops, including the Finnish, Irish, Qataris and Indonesians pulled out of the UNIFIL back in 2007-2008. One reason quoted as some were there for over 30 years (the Irish and Finnish) because of fear of change of the rules of engagement by the NATO forces joining after August 2006 and because of German and French high level statements expressing unlimited support to the Israeli side. At the request of the United Nations, 7,000 additional Lebanese soldiers were deployed to South Lebanon as approved by the Lebanese Cabinet.

Countries involved

The following countries have either committed troops, are currently active in UNIFIL, or have offered support to UNIFIL in some way. Countries in bold were part of the original UNIFIL force.

Country	Committed Forces (estimated*)	Support Roles
Belgium	394[46][47]	de-miners, medical and reconstruction teams [47] 1 Karel Doorman class frigate[48]
Brunei	100[49][50]
Bulgaria	160[51]	1 Wielingen Class Frigate
People’s Republic of China	1,000[52][53]	200 engineers currently in Lebanon clearing mines and unexploded ordnance, medical team, peacekeeping troops.[53]
Denmark	50[46][54]	2 patrol boats as force protection for German contingent and 144 logistic soldiers, and 10 firefighters from the Danish Emergency Management Agency
Fiji
Finland	250[46][55]	reconstructing roads, bridges and other infrastructure destroyed[56]
France	2,000[57][58]	ground troops including 13 French Leclerc tanks;[59] in charge of UNIFIL ground forces until February 2007.[60] In addition, French Navy ships with 1,700 men are deployed off Lebanon in Opération Baliste, and assisting in UNIFIL operations.
Germany	2,400[61][62]	naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling[61][62]
Ghana	650[63]
Greece	176–196	Elli-class frigate, the HS Kanaris, to patrol against arms smugglers[64]
India	850[63][65]	01 x Standard Infantry Battalion of the Indian Army (Regulars), along with support components from the Corps of Engineers (Sappers), Corps of Signals and other logistic Arms and Services.
Indonesia	1,136[66][67]	850 men in mechanized infantry battalion, 75 men in military police unit, 200 men in force protection company, 11 men UNIFIL staff,[68] 111 men aboard KRI Diponegoro (Sigma class corvette of the Indonesian Navy)[69]
Ireland	150[56][70]	perimeter protection for Finnish troops[56]
Italy	2,500[71]	ground troops; assumed charge of UNIFIL ground forces in February 2007[72]
South Korea	350[73][74]	Infantry units and medical team. Security task in Tyre area and associated supply mission.[75] Medical aid for local people.
Malaysia	360[76][77]	Administrative(200) and patrol/quick reaction team (160; including commandos and special forces);
Nepal	850[78][79]	infantry battalion[78][79]
Netherlands	150[48]	1 Karel Doorman class frigate[48]
Norway	100[48][80]	naval ships to secure the Lebanese coast and prevent arms smuggling[48]
Denmark	140[46][81]
Portugal	140[82]	engineering unit
Russia	400[62][83]	engineers[62]
Slovakia	6	medical team
Slovenia	14	3 Staff Officers, 8 men strong Recon element, 3 men strong Logistical element (as of November 2007)
Spain	1,500[57][84]	de-mining and beach cleaning,mechanized infantry battalion(1 infantry platoon from El Salvador), cavalry squadron, combat engineers , helicopter unit [85][86]
Sweden	40[46][87]	1 Göteborg class corvette
Turkey	495[88]	engineering unit to help rebuild damaged bridges and roads; Turkish naval frigate patrolling off the Lebanese coast[88][89]
Bangladesh	?	Following the war, Bangladesh offered to send Infantry Battalions to Lebanon. Despite opposition from Israel, Bangladeshi and Nepali troops were the first peacekeepers to arrive in South Lebanon. Immediately after other peacekeepers arrived, Bangladeshi forces had to leave immediately, as they were not considered to be neutral due to Bagladesh's refusal to recognize Israel, and a comment made by Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan who described Israel's attacks as State terrorism.[90]
Total	13,817

* Because the troop figures come from second hand sources, the exact numbers can not be accurately verified. In most cases the sources round and/or estimate the figures to the closet proximity.

UNIFIL leadership

Personal representatives of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon

Start Date	End Date	Name	Country
March 1978	?	Jean Cuq	France
2000	January 15, 2001	Rolf Goran Knutsson	Sweden
January 15, 2001	April 2005	Staffan de Mistura	Sweden
April 2005	Present	Geir Pedersen	Norway

Commanders of the force

Start Date	End Date	Name	Country
March 1978	February 1981	Emmanuel A. Erskine	Ghana
February 1981	May 1986	William O'Callaghan	Ireland
June 1986	June 1988	Gustav Hägglund	Finland
July 1988	February 1993	Lars-Eric Wahlgren	Sweden
February 1993	February 1995	Trond Furuhovde	Norway
April 1995	October 1, 1997	Stanislaw Franciszek Wozniak	Poland
February 1997	September 1999	Jioje Konousi Koronte	Fiji
September 30, 1999	December 1, 1999	James Sreenan	Ireland
November 16, 1999	May 15, 2001	Seth Kofi Obeng	Ghana
May 15	August 17, 2001	Ganesan Athmanathan	India
August 17, 2001	February 17, 2004	Lalit Mohan Tewari	India
February 17, 2004	February 2, 2007	Alain Pellegrini	France
February 2, 2007	January 28, 2010	Claudio Graziano[91]	Italy
January 28, 2010	Present	Alberto Asarta Cuevas	Spain

Commanders of the Maritime Task Force

Start Date	End Date	Name	Country
September 2006	October 16, 2006	Giuseppe De Giorgi	Italy
October 16, 2006	March 2007	Andreas Krause	Germany
March 2007	September 2007	Karl-Wilhelm Bollow	Germany
September 2007	February 2008	Christian Luther	Germany
February 2008	August 2008[92]	Ruggiero di Biase	Italy
September 2008	February 2009	Jean-Louis Kerignard[93]	France
March 2009	May 2009	Jean-Thierry Pynoo[94]	Belgium
August 2009	August 2009	Ruggiero Di Biase[95]	Italy
September 2009	November 2009	Jürgen Mannhardt[96]	Germany
December 2009	present	Paolo Sandalli[96]	Italy

Fatalities

The entrance to the UN base where four UN peacekeepers were killed during the conflict

To date, UNIFIL has suffered 258 fatalities: 249 military personnel, 2 military observers, 3 international civilian staff, and 4 local staff.^[97] Fatalities by nationality include Belgium: 4, Fiji: 35, Finland: 11, France: 30, Ghana: 29, India: 2, Iran: 1, Ireland: 47, Italy: 6, Lebanon: 6, Malaysia: 1, Nepal: 25, Netherlands: 9, Nigeria: 10, Norway: 21, Philippines: 1, Poland: 7, Senegal: 16, Spain: 7, Sweden: 7, United Kingdom: 3.

Quotes

Easter catholic mass in South Lebanon with French UNIFIL contingent- 2004

• " UNIFIL came here in 1978. We were, because at that time there was no Hezbollah here, accused of being sympathetic to Palestinians. A peacekeeping force does not come here with pre-set enemies. There is no enemy [inaudible] in a peacekeeping force. UNIFIL is a peacekeeping force. It's not an Israeli combat force or an anti-terror force, as they would like it to be. As long as we don't serve their direct interests, they are going to denigrate it as much as they can." Timur Goksel, former spokesman of the UNIFIL, July 26, 2006^[99]

Criticism

A former Israeli ambassador, Itamar Rabinovich, cricised the efficacy of the force saying "UNIFIL, I'm afraid, is a joke. They’ve been there for 26 years and since then, there have been so many skirmishes [along the border]."^[100] Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also said "We didn’t like very much UNIFIL which was very useless and very helpless. Look what happened. Did you hear of any particular efforts of the United Nations UNIFIL force in the south of Lebanon to prevent the attacks against Israel in the first place. So they were not useful and that is why we were unhappy with them."^[101]

Both Israel and Hezbollah have accused UNIFIL of bias. Israel again accused them of failing to prevent, and even collaborating with, Hezbollah in its replenishment of military power. Hezbollah, in turn, said "certain contingents" of UNIFIL are spying for, if not assisting, Israel.^[102]

South Lebanese reception

In the summer of 2010, the French contingent of UNIFIL encountered resistance by residents in several villages that led to injuries on both sides. Their exercise included searching homes, taking photographs and questioning residents in order to identify "Hezbollah members."^[103]

Notes

See also

• Bregman, Ahron (2002). Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947. London: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28716-2
• Mattelaer, Alexander (2009). Europe Rediscovers Peacekeeping? Political and Military Logics in the 2006 UNIFIL EnhancementPDF (385 KB), Egmont Paper 34, www.egmontinstitute.be .
• Operation Litani
• Lebanese Civil War
• South Lebanon conflict
• 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
• 1996 shelling of Qana

Sources

• GlobalSecurity.org Lebanon

External links

• UNIFIL - UN official mandate
• UNIFIL Deployment Map
• UNIFIL site with Pictures & Stories from Irelands Involvement with UNIFIL.