Lacroix Urges Decision on Lebanon Monitoring as UNIFIL Withdrawal Nears

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix urged the Security Council on November 4 to clarify what will follow UNIFIL's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. He warned that removing the mission without another arrangement could leave Israeli and Lebanese forces facing each other without an intermediary. Lacroix said Lebanese officials were concerned about losing a third party that helps their army communicate with the Israel Defense Forces and prevent misunderstandings. He asked whether the two armies could be left facing one another "without any third party." He estimated that about 10,000 residents remained between Israel's forward defense line and the Blue Line, and highlighted the mission's monitoring and humanitarian-convoy coordination roles. Israel, with U.S. support, favors ending the mission. Lacroix said the United Nations had not received clear Security Council guidance on a successor arrangement. Withdrawal preparations were ready, he said, but could be adapted if another UN presence were agreed. He warned that the loss of coordination could increase the risk of unintended escalation; no replacement arrangement was announced. The IDF describes Hezbollah's continued attacks and military rebuilding in southern Lebanon as violations of the June 19, 2026 Israel-Lebanon understandings. Its account cites explosive drones, weapons transfers and efforts to restore military sites and the Radwan Force. The army says it targets terrorist capabilities while using intelligence, precision weapons and surveillance to reduce civilian harm.