The International Day of Peace in 2024, on September 21, is being overshadowed by the escalating tensions across the Israeli-Lebanon border. Recent exchanges of high-stakes threats have intensified, leading to a deadly pager attack this week that resulted in casualties on both sides.
The civilians in southern Lebanon and northern Israel find themselves in a precarious position amid this growing crisis. With the presence of the UNIFIL force of around 10,000 troops in Lebanon, tensions continue to rise after past conflicts between the IDF and Hezbollah.
Various Indo/Asia-Pacific nations contribute over 5,000 troops to UNIFIL, with Indonesia being the largest contributor. Despite criticism from Israeli authorities, the mission plays a vital role in the region.
UNIFIL’s inception in 1978 aimed to restore peace in the area, yet the complex geopolitical landscape of the Levant has made its mission challenging. Despite efforts to enforce peace, deep-rooted issues within Lebanon and external influences have hindered UNIFIL’s success.
Inception
As U.S. President Jimmy Carter worked towards peace in the Middle East in 1978, UNIFIL was established following conflicts in the region. Despite its noble mandate, ongoing hostilities have challenged UNIFIL’s effectiveness in achieving lasting peace.