UNIFIL and Lebanese Army resume patrolling together along Blue Line.

Naqoura – South Lebanon, 17 april 2025                                 

We are following developments in southern Lebanon very closely.

We would like to share with you this message below from the current UNIFIL mission.
The south is experiencing enormous destruction and with the armistice there seems to be relative peace.
However, the situation remains tense, also because Israel is still present in five places around the border in Lebanon.

With the Lebanese Army gradually redeploying with UNIFIL support across south Lebanon, the two forces have resumed vehicle patrols together along the Blue Line after more than six months. 
Since 1 April, about seven vehicle patrols are being conducted daily with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), covering almost the entire stretch of the 120-km Line. Foot patrols along the Blue Line remain on hold for the safety of army personnel and peacekeepers, due to the presence of unexploded ordnances and Israeli forces in Lebanese territory. 
Patrols with LAF had been suspended in late September 2024 following intensification of the conflict in the area.
UNIFIL peacekeepers have been actively facilitating LAF’s deployment across the mission’s area of operations in south Lebanon since the cessation of hostilities understanding of 27 November 2024.
However, such deployment to the areas still occupied by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is pending, with UNIFIL repeatedly calling for IDF’s full withdrawal from all Lebanese areas. 
So far in south Lebanon, LAF has deployed – with UNIFIL support – to about 120 permanent positions. 
UNIFIL Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Jean-Jacques Fatinet is optimistic about the two forces’ enhanced operational efficiency in the coming days.

“Thanks to their outstanding commitment, LAF and UNIFIL have managed to steadily increase the level of their combined operations since January,” said Maj. Gen. Fatinet. “I am looking forward to further deepening our strategic partnership, in order to increase our operational efficiency in support to the LAF and for the security of south Lebanon.”

Since last month, UNIFIL and LAF focused on locating and dealing with tunnels and weapons and ammunition caches, as well as the detection and destruction of unexploded ordnances, roadblock clearances, and support to civilian populations. In this regard, UNIFIL’s liaison work with the parties has been instrumental.