Shortage of vests: UN reduces mission in Lebanon by 25% amid Israeli strikes

The UN has begun reducing the number of peacekeepers in Lebanon by a quarter at once, mission spokeswoman Candice Arbil told Izvestia. This decision coincided with a tense period in the south of the country: the Israeli army dramatically increased the intensity of airstrikes there. Formally, its actions are explained by the need for preventive deterrence, but in fact the purpose of the campaign is to increase pressure on Beirut, seeking accelerated disarmament of the Shiite movement. At the same time, the UN told Izvestia that they had not observed any attempts by Hezbollah to restore military infrastructure, which contradicts the statements of Israeli officials.

Peacekeepers leave amid escalation

The UN has begun phasing out the number of its peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The decision of the UN Security Council gave certainty to the future of the mission. Earlier, he unanimously adopted a resolution according to which the mandate of peacekeepers is extended for the last time — until December 31, 2026. After this date, a complete withdrawal of personnel will be carried out, and the mission is completed.

— As a result of budget cuts in the UN system, UNIFIL (the organization's Interim Force in Lebanon. — Ed.) began the process of reducing the number of their staff by about a quarter. We have already started this process, and it is expected that it will be completed by early 2026," mission spokeswoman Candice Arbil told Izvestia.

According to the United Nations, by November 20, 2025, there were 9.9 thousand peacekeepers in UNIFIL, an indicator that reflects the beginning of a decrease in the size of the mission. Previously, its number was 10.5 thousand military personnel.

This decision is being made in the context of increasing tensions along the border with Israel. The IDF has been conducting intensive strikes against targets in southern Lebanon over the past year, claiming that this is preventing the restoration of Hezbollah's military potential. According to Tel Aviv, since the ceasefire came into effect on November 27, 2024, Israeli forces have killed more than 370 supporters of the Hezbollah movement and its allied groups. At the same time, the IDF continues to maintain control over five strategic positions in Lebanon.

However, the UN told Izvestia that they had not noticed Hezbollah's attempts to restore military infrastructure.

— Over the past year, the peacekeepers have not observed any military activity by Hezbollah or other non-State actors in our area of operations between the Litani River and the Blue Line. We have not recorded the restoration of unauthorized military infrastructure or the re—import of unauthorized weapons," said Candice Arbil.

This is at odds with the statements of the Israeli military, who claim that the movement seeks to restore its capabilities contrary to the agreements.

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Hezbollah does not intend to lay down its arms

On November 30, a loud political signal added to the situation around Lebanon: Pope Leo XIV arrived in the country on an apostolic visit. At the Beirut airport, the Pontiff was met by President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The Lebanese authorities, facing a severe economic crisis, are expressing growing concern that Israel may dramatically expand military operations in the coming months.

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem has already stated that Israel's strikes "cannot continue indefinitely," and stressed that the ceasefire applies only to the south of the country. He again rejected the possibility of disarmament north of Litani and confirmed that the movement does not intend to lay down weapons that it considers necessary to defend Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, warned that he would not allow Hezbollah to rearm. The US position also implies pressure on Beirut to seek more active disarmament of its Shiite militias.

Retired Lebanese Army Brigadier General George Nader told Izvestia that Israel's attempts to interfere in the disarmament process could have serious and devastating consequences not only for Hezbollah, but for Lebanon as a whole. That is why, he stressed, the country needs to independently develop an internal action plan and not allow external players to impose their decisions. According to him, the key task of the government and political forces is to find a national settlement mechanism, preventing Israel from dictating terms by force.

Recall that on September 5, the Lebanese government reviewed a plan proposed by the army to introduce a state monopoly on gun ownership until the end of 2025. The document provides for the consistent disarmament of all structures, including Hezbollah. The Cabinet hopes to reach an agreement with the movement to avoid the risk of a repeat of the civil war. However, disagreements have already arisen within the government itself: representatives of Hezbollah criticized the plan as erroneous. Naim Qasem said the organization would act "as if no decisions had been made."

Official Beirut stresses that the army may declare the southern regions free of weapons of movement in 2025, but it does not intend to conduct searches of private homes in order to avoid internal escalation.

The Southern difference: should we expect a new war between Israel and Hezbollah

Increased clashes in the border area may become the subject of political bargaining.

Despite the current truce, strikes continue both in the southern regions and in the Bekaa Valley. Lebanese authorities report that in less than a year, Israeli attacks have killed more than 300 people, injured almost 600, and the number of ceasefire violations has exceeded 5,000.

The escalation also affected the capital: on November 23, Israeli forces reported the assassination of a senior Hezbollah military commander, Haysam Tabtabai, on the outskirts of Beirut, despite the truce.

Attempts to stabilize the situation are centered around a five—party mechanism - Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France, and the United Nations. Washington is leading the process, Paris is acting as a co-curator, and London and Berlin have sent observers. However, Hezbollah rejects any initiatives that it considers to serve Israel's interests and insists that the issue of armaments cannot be the subject of international pressure.

Against this background, the reduction of the UN contingent is becoming an additional uncertainty factor for southern Lebanon, where the risks of a resumption of full-scale hostilities remain.