Historical Organization
UNIFIL
UNIFIL
Details
Organization Timeline
UN Security Council demands Israeli withdrawal and establishes UNIFIL
📅 19 March 1978Resolution 425 called for respect for Lebanese sovereignty, immediate Israeli withdrawal and establishment of UNIFIL. Result: a formal international framework for withdrawal and peacekeeping;...
First UNIFIL troops arrive in southern Lebanon
📅 23 March 1978The first UNIFIL personnel arrived following Security Council resolutions 425 and 426. Result: deployment of an international force tasked with confirming Israeli withdrawal, restoring peace and...
First UNIFIL troops deploy in southern Lebanon
📅 23 March 1978Following the March Israeli invasion, the first UNIFIL troops arrived. Lebanese communities and Palestinian factions faced a new international security presence. The deployment was intended to...
Israeli forces invade Lebanon
📅 6 June 1982Israel launched a major ground invasion of Lebanon after aerial bombardment and cross-border fighting. PLO and Lebanese National Movement forces resisted Israeli advances; UNIFIL attempted to obstruct...
UN Security Council renews UNIFIL mandate amid continued occupation
📅 17 October 1985Security Council resolution 575 renewed UNIFIL. Subsequent UN reporting described almost daily attacks by Lebanese resistance groups on Israeli and SLA positions, restrictions on peacekeeper...
Lebanon requests extension of UNIFIL amid continuing resistance attacks
📅 19 January 1989Lebanon requested renewal of the UN peacekeeping mandate. UN records describe armed resistance operations against IDF/SLA positions, Israeli and SLA retaliatory or unprovoked fire, and threats to...
Israel begins week-long bombardment of Lebanon (Operation Accountability)
📅 25 July 1993Israel launched an intensive air and artillery campaign against villages in southern Lebanon amid clashes with Hezbollah and other armed groups. UNIFIL reported widespread civilian displacement and...
End of July 1993 bombardment; large-scale displacement documented
📅 31 July 1993The week of bombardment ended. UNIFIL reported approximately 200,000 people temporarily displaced from its area, widespread destruction and differing casualty totals from Lebanese and independently...
Israel launches Operation Grapes of Wrath
📅 11 April 1996Israel began a large air and artillery operation in Lebanon after an escalation of cross-border attacks. Hezbollah launched rockets toward northern Israel; Israeli strikes and the rocket fire...
Israeli artillery strikes UN compound at Qana
📅 18 April 1996Israeli artillery struck a UNIFIL compound sheltering hundreds of displaced Lebanese civilians. A UN investigation estimated about 100 civilians killed, with many wounded. It also documented Hezbollah...
UN Security Council adopts Resolution 1052
📅 18 April 1996The Security Council called for an immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties and for protection of civilians and UNIFIL. The resolution formed part of international diplomatic pressure to stop...
UN Secretary-General transmits Qana investigation to Security Council
📅 7 May 1996The Secretary-General transmitted the report of his military adviser on the 18 April shelling. The report recorded the civilians sheltering in the compound, Hezbollah firing nearby before the strike...
Israeli and allied forces begin vacating positions
📅 16 May 2000According to the UN Secretary-General, Israeli forces and the de facto forces began vacating positions on 16 May, earlier than anticipated, amid exchanges of fire. Lebanese resistance groups viewed...
UN confirms Israeli withdrawal under Resolution 425
📅 16 June 2000UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan reported UNIFIL confirmation that Israel had withdrawn in accordance with Security Council Resolution 425. The UN withdrawal line (Blue Line) was for verification,...
Hezbollah captures three Israeli soldiers across the Blue Line
📅 7 October 2000Hezbollah attacked an Israeli patrol near the Shebaa area, capturing three soldiers. The group presented the action as leverage for Lebanese prisoners and resistance to continued occupation of...
UN Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 1701
📅 11 August 2006Resolution 1701 called for a cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Israeli forces alongside Lebanese and UNIFIL deployment, and expansion of UNIFIL. It set the framework for the end of major...
Cessation of hostilities takes effect
📅 14 August 2006The cessation of hostilities took effect at 05:00 GMT (08:00 Lebanon time). Large numbers of displaced Lebanese began returning, while unexploded ordnance and destroyed infrastructure posed severe...
Cessation of hostilities begins
📅 14 August 2006The cessation of hostilities under resolution 1701 took effect. Lebanese communities began returning to devastated areas; implementation depended on Lebanese army and UNIFIL deployments.
Lebanese army reaches the border
📅 18 August 2006Lebanese army units reached the Israeli border as Israeli forces withdrew from parts of southern Lebanon. The move marked an important shift in post-war security arrangements.
UN Secretary-General proposes UNIFIL reinforcement arrangements
📅 8 September 2006The Secretary-General transmitted arrangements for reinforcing UNIFIL following the 2006 war; the expansion affected security governance in southern Lebanon.
Security Council receives UNIFIL reinforcement correspondence
📅 13 September 2006The Council received letters concerning reinforcement of UNIFIL, part of the post-war international security framework.
UN Secretary-General submits factual update on Resolution 1701
📅 1 December 2006The update recorded progress and unresolved questions in implementation of the ceasefire and security arrangements.
Security Council issues statement on Resolution 1701
📅 12 December 2006The Council reviewed post-war implementation and emphasized compliance by the parties.
Security Council addresses attack on UNIFIL
📅 25 June 2007The Council condemned an attack against UN peacekeepers; security threats to UNIFIL complicated stabilization in southern Lebanon.
UN reports on implementation of Resolution 1701
📅 28 June 2007The Secretary-General assessed the ceasefire, Blue Line incidents and outstanding disarmament and border issues.
Security Council renews UNIFIL mandate under Resolution 1773
📅 24 August 2007The Council extended the peacekeeping mandate until August 2008, keeping international monitoring in place.
UN reports on implementation of Resolution 1701
📅 30 October 2007The Secretary-General documented security conditions and continuing disputes over the Blue Line and armed groups.
Security Council condemns attack on UNIFIL
📅 11 January 2008The Council responded to an attack against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, highlighting risks faced by international monitors.
UN reports on Resolution 1701 implementation
📅 28 February 2008The Secretary-General assessed the security situation and unresolved aspects of the post-2006 settlement.
Security Council renews UNIFIL under Resolution 1832
📅 27 August 2008The Council extended UNIFIL’s mandate for another year while implementation of Resolution 1701 remained incomplete.
UN reports on implementation of Resolution 1701
📅 18 November 2008The eighth report reviewed post-Doha developments, Blue Line incidents and the question of armed groups.
UN publishes ninth report on Resolution 1701
📅 3 March 2009The report noted rockets fired from southern Lebanon during the Gaza crisis and Israeli artillery responses, while describing relative stability elsewhere.
UN issues tenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 29 June 2009The Secretary-General reviewed ceasefire implementation and continuing security issues in southern Lebanon.
Security Council adopts Resolution 1884
📅 27 August 2009The Council extended the mandate of UNIFIL, continuing international monitoring of southern Lebanon.
UN issues thirteenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 1 July 2010The Secretary-General reviewed the security situation and discussed non-state armed groups and Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Security Council adopts Resolution 1937
📅 30 August 2010The Council renewed UNIFIL without amending its mandate, maintaining the monitoring framework.
UN issues fourteenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 1 November 2010The report assessed developments along the Blue Line and implementation of the post-war security arrangements.
UN issues fifteenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 28 February 2011The Secretary-General reported on the ceasefire framework, military deployments and unresolved border concerns.
Palestinian refugees demonstrate near Maroun al-Ras
📅 15 May 2011Thousands of predominantly Palestinian refugee demonstrators assembled near the Blue Line to commemorate the Nakba. Israeli fire killed demonstrators; the protest linked Palestinian return claims to...
UN issues sixteenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 1 July 2011The report documented the May 15 Maroun al-Ras demonstration, continuing Israeli overflights and Blue Line incidents.
Security Council adopts Resolution 2004
📅 30 August 2011The Council renewed UNIFIL, extending peacekeeping presence under the post-2006 mandate.
UN issues seventeenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 14 November 2011The Secretary-General reviewed compliance and outstanding security concerns affecting southern Lebanon.
UN issues eighteenth report on Resolution 1701
📅 28 February 2012The report addressed border security, armed groups and the state’s authority in the post-war environment.
Security Council adopts Resolution 2064
📅 30 August 2012The Council renewed UNIFIL’s mandate for another year amid continued concerns over implementation of Resolution 1701.
UN issues report S/2013/120 on Resolution 1701
📅 27 February 2013The Secretary-General assessed developments and remaining challenges to the ceasefire framework.
UN issues report S/2013/381 on Resolution 1701
📅 26 June 2013The report reviewed security developments, including Lebanese Armed Forces redeployments amid domestic security pressures.
Security Council issues presidential statement on Lebanon
📅 10 July 2013The Council addressed developments concerning Lebanon and the security situation affecting UNIFIL.
Security Council adopts Resolution 2115
📅 29 August 2013The Council renewed UNIFIL’s mandate as instability in the region affected Lebanon’s security environment.
UN issues report S/2013/650 on Resolution 1701
📅 13 November 2013The report assessed implementation, Blue Line tensions and regional spillover into Lebanon.
UN issues report S/2014/130 on Resolution 1701
📅 26 February 2014The Secretary-General reviewed the late-2013 to early-2014 reporting period and continuing security concerns.
Rockets launched from southern Lebanon toward Israel
📅 11 July 2014UNIFIL reported three rockets launched from the Ain Arab area toward Israel. The incident risked escalation; responsibility was not established in the UNIFIL account.
Further rockets fired across the Blue Line
📅 12 July 2014UNIFIL detected at least two rockets from the Qulaylah area toward northern Israel and reported Israeli artillery response. It called on both parties to avoid escalation.
UNIFIL reports third rocket incident within a week
📅 14 July 2014Three rockets were launched from near Qulaylah toward Israel; Israeli artillery returned fire near Zibqin. UNIFIL said no organisation had claimed responsibility and that the incident violated...
Lebanon and Israel conclude maritime boundary agreement
📅 27 October 2022Through separate letters mediated by the United States, Lebanon and Israel agreed on a maritime boundary. UN representatives received coordinates at Naqoura. The accord did not establish diplomatic...
Cross-border exchanges resume after Gaza war begins
📅 8 October 2023Hezbollah and Israeli forces began exchanges of fire across the Blue Line. Hezbollah presented its operations as solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza; the fighting displaced civilians on both sides.
Security Council renews UNIFIL mandate
📅 28 August 2024The Security Council adopted resolution 2749, demanding full implementation of resolution 1701 and calling for cessation of hostilities. The UN mission remained deployed amid cross-border fighting.
Cessation of hostilities takes effect
📅 27 November 2024A cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect. UNIFIL welcomed the announcement and called for full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701; civilian security...
Cessation of hostilities takes effect
📅 27 November 2024A cessation of hostilities took effect at 04:00 local time. The agreement envisaged restrictions on attacks, Lebanese army deployment and Israeli withdrawal, while implementation remained contested.
UNIFIL pledges to support cessation-of-hostilities implementation
📅 27 November 2024UNIFIL welcomed the agreement and reaffirmed its role under Resolution 1701, emphasizing civilian suffering on both sides of the Blue Line.
UN chief visits southern Lebanon
📅 17 January 2025UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited UNIFIL forces in the south amid efforts to implement the ceasefire and deploy the Lebanese army.
UN Secretary-General addresses ceasefire implementation
📅 18 January 2025Guterres said Israeli withdrawal, Lebanese Armed Forces deployment and control of weapons were essential to Resolution 1701. He also described destruction and reconstruction needs.
Civilians killed amid delayed Israeli withdrawal
📅 26 January 2025UN officials reported 15 people killed, including a Lebanese soldier, as civilians attempted to return to southern villages; the original withdrawal timetable was not met.
UN warns withdrawal remains incomplete
📅 18 February 2025The UN said Israel had not fully withdrawn south of the Blue Line, while acknowledging progress in Lebanese army deployments and civilian returns.
France calls for departure from five positions
📅 18 February 2025France noted Israeli forces remained in five positions on Lebanese territory and proposed that UNIFIL could replace them.
UNIFIL documents five remaining Israeli positions
📅 27 February 2025A UNIFIL briefing reported Israeli withdrawal from villages but continued military presence at five positions north of the Blue Line.
UNIFIL reports continued humanitarian assistance
📅 12 March 2025UNIFIL described medical and humanitarian support by contingents from several countries while Israeli positions remained inside Lebanon.
UNIFIL calls for dialogue on mission anniversary
📅 19 March 2025At its 47th anniversary observance, UNIFIL leadership stressed reconstruction, explosive clearance and dialogue toward a permanent ceasefire.
Rocket launches and Israeli strikes renew escalation fears
📅 22 March 2025Projectiles were fired from Lebanon into Israel and Israeli forces retaliated with strikes. Hezbollah denied involvement in the launches; attribution remained contested.
UNIFIL and Lebanese army renew demining agreement
📅 24 March 2025UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces signed a memorandum extending assistance for mine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL resumes maritime training with Lebanese forces
📅 10 April 2025UNIFIL reported renewed maritime task force training with the Lebanese Armed Forces following a hiatus during the conflict. This date is the publication date of the report.
UNIFIL reports medical and educational community support
📅 14 April 2025UNIFIL published an update on medical and educational initiatives in communities recovering from the war. This is a reporting milestone.
UNIFIL reports unexploded ordnance clearance
📅 16 April 2025UNIFIL reported 34 clearance operations and removal of 91 unexploded devices since the November 2024 cessation of hostilities. This is a report date, not the date of every clearance.
Joint Blue Line vehicle patrols resume
📅 17 April 2025UNIFIL announced renewed joint vehicle patrols with the Lebanese army along the Blue Line, while foot patrols remained restricted by explosive hazards and Israeli positions.
UNIFIL reports ordnance safety campaign for children
📅 25 April 2025UNIFIL reported awareness activities reaching schoolchildren to reduce risks from unexploded ordnance. This is a publication milestone.
Security Council extends UNIFIL for final term
📅 28 August 2025UN Security Council Resolution 2790 extended UNIFIL’s mandate through 31 December 2026 and demanded withdrawal from five Israeli-held positions in Lebanon.
UN reports increased violence and Israeli positions
📅 3 September 2026UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported an increase in incidents in August and continuing Israeli operations north of the Blue Line, contrary to Resolution 1701.
UNIFIL issues statement on stabilisation role
📅 1 October 2026UNIFIL published a statement describing road clearance, humanitarian access and explosive-hazard work following hostilities, as its mandate neared its end. This is a publication milestone.