The United Nations Security Council is poised to consider a French-drafted resolution that has drawn sharp criticism for potentially shielding Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. The resolution, obtained by Fox News Digital, aims to extend the mandate of UNIFIL, the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, for another year. This move comes as the U.S. has yet to announce its stance on supporting or opposing the proposal, despite widespread concerns over its implications.
The resolution states that the ultimate objective is to transition security responsibilities for southern Lebanon to the Lebanese government, provided it maintains full control over all Lebanese territories. Critics, however, argue that this framework is insufficient and may inadvertently create a system that allows Hezbollah to continue its operations. The resolution reportedly acknowledges the end of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon but expresses grave concerns about the continued violations of the ceasefire, particularly air and drone strikes on Lebanese territory.
Additionally, the draft resolution urges Israel to withdraw from its five remaining positions inside Lebanon, which it maintains to counter Hezbollah. If adopted, the resolution would also call on the international community to support Lebanon’s Armed Forces to ensure the absence of unauthorized armed groups in the region. Despite these measures, critics note that the resolution fails to address the deeper issues of Hezbollah’s growing military presence and the lack of accountability within Lebanon’s military for allowing pro-Hezbollah elements to operate freely.
Senior analysts and policymakers have expressed strong opposition to the resolution, citing UNIFIL’s long-standing failures to curb Hezbollah’s activities. Yoni Tobin, a policy analyst at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), has pointed out that over the past four decades, UNIFIL has not only failed to achieve its stated objectives but has also allowed Hezbollah to expand its military capabilities unchecked. He emphasized that the continued operation of UNIFIL, instead of facilitating the complete removal of Hezbollah from southern Lebanon, may only serve to sustain the group’s influence in the area.
Furthermore, the draft resolution has drawn attention to the ongoing concerns regarding Hezbollah’s rapid military buildup in southern Lebanon, which has raised alarms among regional leaders and U.S. diplomats. Israeli officials, including former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman, have criticized UNIFIL for its lack of effectiveness in preventing Hezbollah from rearming and expanding its operations in the region. According to him, the current situation is a direct result of UNIFIL’s inability to enforce its mandate and its reluctance to confront Hezbollah’s growing military might.
As debates over the resolution unfold in the U.N. Security Council, the U.S. government’s stance remains unclear, with its mission declining to provide further comments. Meanwhile, Israel and France have not responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. The decision on whether to support the resolution could have significant implications for Lebanon’s security, regional stability, and the broader Israeli-Lebanese relationship in the coming months.