The United States is reportedly weighing an end to the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, sparking alarm in Beirut and raising concerns about increased Israeli military actions near the border.

According to Israeli media, the Biden administration is leaning toward ending the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, a move aligned with Israeli interests. While no final decision has been made, the idea has gained traction in Tel Aviv, which has long criticized UNIFIL’s effectiveness and is advocating a new, U.S.-brokered bilateral security arrangement with Lebanon.

The Israeli Institute for National Security Studies recently suggested replacing UNIFIL with “complementary security mechanisms” that would give Israel greater operational freedom against Hezbollah and Palestinian groups operating near the border.

Lebanon Warns of Escalation Risks

Lebanese officials and regional analysts caution that terminating UNIFIL without a clear replacement would leave southern Lebanon vulnerable to Israeli military strikes, particularly as Beirut continues struggling to enforce the disarmament of Hezbollah and other armed factions.

In a speech last week, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Salam announced that the army had dismantled more than 500 Hezbollah military positions and arms depots south of the Litani River, a key provision of the 2006 ceasefire resolution. Still, enforcement across the rest of the country remains patchy, with U.S. pressure growing on Beirut to accelerate disarmament efforts.

UNIFIL Mandate and Mission

Established in 1978 and reinforced by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in 2006, UNIFIL has more than 10,000 troops from 50 countries and about 800 civilian staff. Its primary role is to assist the Lebanese army in maintaining a buffer zone free of unauthorized armed actors between the Litani River and the Israeli border. UNIFIL also plays a mediation role between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries to prevent escalation along the Blue Line.

The current mandate expires in August, when the UN Security Council will vote on whether to renew it. U.S. calls for reforms may transform into an outright withdrawal of support if consensus isn’t reached.