Jerusalem, 28 August, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli government is taking credit for the UN Security Council’s decision to end UNIFIL’s (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mandate, and is applauding the move.
In preparation for the Security Council discussions on UNIFIL, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, coordinated internal inter-agency preparatory work with the participation of relevant elements in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and the National Defense Ministry, and conducted the dialogue on the issue with relevant elements in the international system, in a manner that led to the achievement of ending the UNIFIL mandate.
“Israel welcomes the Security Council’s decision taken on 28/8 to end UNIFIL’s mandate. In accordance with Israel’s position, UNIFIL’s mandate has been renewed for the last time,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement. “It will definitively end in December 2026, with UNIFIL troops evacuating from Lebanon during 2027.”
“UNIFIL failed miserably by not preventing Hezbollah from strengthening militarily over the years in its area of operation,” it added. “Furthermore, UNIFIL’s reports to the Security Council did not reflect the reality on the ground and the extent of Hezbollah’s strengthening, creating a false impression of apparent stability.”
The Foreign Ministry also said that this decision will contribute to regional stability.