S/PV.9989 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Israel and Lebanon to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/461, which contains the text of a letter dated 11 July 2025 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. Members of the Council have before them document S/2025/527, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2790 (2025). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

First of all, I would like to thank all the members of the Security Council for their commitment and availability throughout the negotiation process on the resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (resolution 2790 (2025)). The negotiations this year took place in a very particular context, since the dynamic that has been in place since the cessation of hostilities on 27 November 2024 has enabled decisive progress to be made towards regional security and stability. Lebanon has initiated an ambitious movement to regain its sovereignty over the entire territory, particularly south of the Litani River. The Lebanese Armed Forces are to present a plan for the disarmament of Hizbullah to their authorities by the end of the week. With an opportunity to move forward in the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), the Council has the duty to contribute to these efforts, which are unprecedented since 2006. It is in this spirit that France presented the resolution to renew UNIFIL’s mandate. UNIFIL has made a valuable contribution to Lebanon’s security and stability in recent years. In recent months, it has proven its ability to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in identifying illegal weapons and military infrastructure, while monitoring activities north of the Blue Line, where the Israeli army is still present. At this stage of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ build-up, it is essential that UNIFIL continue its France therefore welcomes the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate until 31 December 2026. This precious time will be necessary to support the build-up of the Lebanese Armed Forces and establish the Lebanese State’s authority throughout its territory, while the situation remains precarious. At the same time, the success of this consolidation process requires that the Lebanese State be solely responsible for ensuring security and sovereignty. This requires, first and foremost, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and an end to their air operations over that territory. It also implies, in the long term, the withdrawal of UNIFIL to allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to take the lead in ensuring security in southern Lebanon. The situation remains volatile, and significant collective efforts are still needed to achieve lasting stability along the Blue Line. It is with this in mind that today’s resolution calls on the Secretariat to propose options for continuing to implement resolution 1701 (2006) after UNIFIL’s departure. These options will allow us to propose the adjustments and adaptations considered necessary to avoid any reversal of progress. We are ready to work with the Secretariat teams to study the bold options that we invite them to present by next June.

At the outset, I wish to express our gratitude to the penholder, France, for its tireless efforts in steering difficult negotiations towards the adoption of resolution 2790 (2025). Algeria firmly believes that Security Council resolutions concerning peace missions must be guided by the will and the consent of the host country and grounded in realities on the ground. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) remains indispensable to stability in Lebanon and in the region. It has played a key role in de-escalating tensions, preventing miscalculations and supporting the cessation of hostilities, thereby contributing to regional stability. It was also instrumental in enabling the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south. In this regard, we commend the commitment of the Lebanese authorities to uphold their obligations and to exercise full sovereignty over their entire country. Established in 1978, UNIFIL was mainly mandated to observe and to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon, to restore international peace and security and to assist the Lebanese Government in exercising authority over its territory. These objectives remain at the heart of its mission. We must ask: has UNIFIL fulfilled its mandate? Clearly, the answer is no. Lebanese lands remain under Israeli occupation, and we regret that our proposal to include a clear reference to the 1949 General Armistice Agreement between Lebanon and Israel was not retained. Without ending Israel’s occupation of Arab lands, peace and stability in the region will remain elusive. Israel has yet to respect its commitments under resolution 1701 (2006) and the cessation of hostilities arrangement. Today’s resolution opens a new chapter for Lebanon and for the Middle East. Its implementation must be holistic, not selective, addressing all obligations, including those that Israel continues to ignore until now. The Council must also remain ready to revisit this resolution in the light of future developments, in accordance with the situation on the ground and the options that the Secretary-General will present under operative paragraph 10. Finally, and in conclusion, Algeria pays tribute to UNIFIL’s leadership and personnel and to all troop- and police-contributing countries for their commitment

Let me first thank France for its tireless efforts in bridging significant gaps among Council members and guiding us to the adoption of this important resolution (resolution 2790 (2025)). As both a troop-contributing country to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and a member of the Council, the Republic of Korea voted in favour of this resolution with a grave sense of responsibility. Given the new strategic and operational context, UNIFIL’s continued presence across the Blue Line is imperative in order to induce all parties’ cooperation for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), which stipulates the full withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon and the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon. Yet, we are also mindful that peacekeeping missions cannot continue indefinitely and that they should focus on implementing the mandate efficiently, being mindful of their endgames. The fact that this resolution reflects a careful balance between the two needs led the Republic of Korea to support it. Against this backdrop, it is essential that UNIFIL continue to carry out its mandate in a responsible and professional manner until the mission’s full withdrawal. In doing so, the mission should aim to ensure that the Lebanese Government can exercise its sovereignty over its whole territory, while also providing the necessary support to the Lebanese Armed Forces. We also take this opportunity to note the Lebanese Government’s sheer will to rise as the sole guarantor of its national security, which gave us confidence to vote in favour of the resolution. As stipulated in the relevant resolutions, including resolution 1701 (2006), it is the host Government’s responsibility to ensure its citizens’ security, and we call on UNIFIL to support Lebanon in this regard, in accordance with the resolution adopted today. Meanwhile, all parties should also take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the Blue Helmets until the end of their term. As the Council envisions the end of this mission, it is imperative to think ahead to how the post-UNIFIL phase should look in order to ensure peace and stability across the Blue Line. In this context, we call for the Secretary-General to present a genuine and insightful report on the post-UNIFIL phase that includes actionable plans, in accordance with the resolution. Such a report should guide the discussions within the Council on how to ensure the security of Lebanon, forestall any further resurgence of non-State actors in southern Lebanon and prevent military escalation across the Blue Line. In conclusion, we emphasize that close cooperation and coordination among troop-contributing countries are more crucial than ever before, and we call on the international community to extend its steadfast support.

The Russian Federation voted in favour of the resolution crafted by France on the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (resolution 2790 (2025)). That decision was guided primarily by the position of the Lebanese Republic as a State hosting peacekeepers on its territory. That position, we should like to recall, was set out in detail in a letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lebanon addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 27 June. We note in that connection the efforts of the penholder, France, which tried to take into account the priorities of Beirut, in keeping with the guiding principles of peacekeeping. Having said that, regrettably, we must note that it was not possible to fully reflect the interests of the Lebanese people in the resolution. From the very beginning, one delegation — and we all know which one — despite the very ambiguous situation Nevertheless, we would like to recall the long-standing and much-needed efforts of the peacekeepers who have been monitoring the ceasefire and maintaining security along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel since 1978. The interim forces have performed and continue to perform the functions assigned to them in good faith and selflessly, often putting their own health and even their lives at risk. The Russian Federation has consistently and unwaveringly supported the activities of peacekeepers, who play a key stabilizing role even today, as we see ongoing dangerous tensions in the Lebanon-Israel border area, whence we receive daily reports of Israel Defense Forces strikes and violations by the Israeli Air Force of Lebanese airspace. In this regard, we believe that the plan for the extension and gradual withdrawal of UNIFIL, as per the resolution that we just adopted, should not create a security vacuum in southern Lebanon. However, given the bellicose position of the Israeli Government and its destructive actions in the region, carried out under the auspices of our American colleagues, the risks of a security vacuum remain both in the medium and long term. We are convinced that it is fundamentally important that cornerstone resolution 1701 (2006) is fully implemented before the UNIFIL withdrawal from Lebanon. After UNIFIL’s eventual completion, the responsibility for the situation in the region of separation will fall squarely on Israel and Lebanon, as stated in the aforementioned resolution. That should not result in a conflict between those two parties.

I wish to thank and extend my gratitude to the penholder, France, for having conducted these negotiations that led to the unanimous approval of resolution 2790 (2025). Denmark voted in favour of the resolution. We welcome the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to allow the mission to continue its important work at this crucial point in time. We commend UNIFIL’s close cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and note the record-high presence of the LAF in the south of Lebanon, as well as its continually strengthened response to reports of unauthorized weapons and ammunition caches. These are positive signs regarding the Lebanese Armed Forces becoming the sole security provider inside Lebanon. For this to be fully realized, the LAF requires international support, and UNIFIL remains an invaluable part of that effort. We look forward to the Secretary- General’s options on how support for the LAF can be strengthened after the mission’s withdrawal, as requested in this resolution. We underline the importance of resolution 1701 (2006) and stress the obligation of all parties to respect its terms and implement them in full. All parties must ensure that UNIFIL can implement its mandate unhindered, including with freedom of movement. All parties must also ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and UNIFIL facilities. In conclusion, let me reaffirm Denmark’s full support for UNIFIL and its peacekeepers.

At the outset, I would like to thank the penholder, France, for its tireless efforts in successfully steering the discussions. Greece voted in favour of the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We consider the mission a reliable and critical partner of the Lebanese Government, a pillar of stability for Lebanon and a key enabler of regional peace and security. UNIFIL’s support for the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), its assistance in the detection and disposal of unauthorized weapons, its perseverance in upholding the cessation of hostilities and monitoring the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), as well as its assistance in the safe return of the displaced population, are all vital to promoting stability in Lebanon and the wider region. In parallel, the Lebanese Government has shown determination to stay the course despite daunting challenges. The recent decision of the Ministerial Cabinet to approve a road map for the disarmament of Hizbullah constitutes a courageous and welcome move. In the same vein, reports indicate that the LAF has assumed control of 90 per cent of the positions previously maintained by Hizbullah south of the Litani River. It is now time to seize this momentum. Strengthening cooperation between UNIFIL and the LAF in the months ahead will be crucial to enhancing the operational capacity of the LAF, consolidating the State’s monopoly on arms and extending its authority over the entire territory of Lebanon. Full respect by all parties for the ceasefire and resolution 1701 (2006) remains indispensable. At the same time, the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel must be guaranteed, along with the inviolability of UNIFIL’s premises. Meanwhile, the international community should intensify support for Lebanon, particularly in the timely implementation of much-needed reforms. In that vein, the Council has a responsibility to address the repercussions that will emanate from ending the mandate and to ensure that it will not create a security vacuum. Greece has already committed to increasing its support to the Lebanese Armed Forces while already contributing to the mission with a frigate and staff at Naqoura headquarters. In conclusion, while, in principle, we believe that the ending of the mandate should have been condition-based and that the text is not ideal, we stress that UNIFIL’s transition needs to be safe and orderly, in close coordination with the host country. We sincerely hope that the Lebanese Government will, in the coming months, assume full sovereignty over its territory and that both parties will advance towards a comprehensive political settlement. As Lebanon’s neighbour and long-standing friend, Greece stands ready to assist towards this goal.

I thank our French colleagues for their leadership in guiding the Council through the process of renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The United Kingdom has always been a strong supporter of UNIFIL. I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the mission’s troops and staff and to the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. However, it is disappointing that, despite the best efforts of the penholder, the Council was not able to make this significant decision on the basis of an evidence-based assessment of the impact of UNIFIL’s withdrawal. The United Kingdom believes that a premature withdrawal of the mission would risk fostering a security environment that Hizbullah can exploit. That would harm communities on both sides of the Blue Line and set back efforts for a long-term political agreement. The decision to end UNIFIL’s mission also comes in the context of a continued Israeli presence in southern Lebanon and near-daily overflights, including air strikes. These actions are not conducive to stability across the Blue Line, and we urge Israel to withdraw its forces and respect Lebanon’s territorial integrity. We condemn Hizbullah’s attempts to maintain weapons outside of State control and agree that the Lebanese State must become the sole security provider in southern Lebanon — indeed, we have supported the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) for over a decade. They have made clear strides, but increased international support will be needed to allow them to take ownership of security in the South. Nineteen years ago, resolution 1701 (2006) established a framework for lasting peace across the Blue Line. We regret that UNIFIL is set to withdraw before that resolution has been implemented in full. In that context, we call on all partners to redouble their commitments to creating the conditions required for security, stability and a long-term political solution in southern Lebanon.

We would like to begin by expressing our appreciation to France, the penholder, for its efforts and skilled facilitation of the negotiations. We welcome the adoption of resolution 2790 (2025). First, let me reiterate Slovenia’s strong support for the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We commend UNIFIL for its vital work, both in carrying out its operational duties and in maintaining continuous engagement with all relevant stakeholders. We also pray tribute to the United Nations troops and staff of the mission, who, despite challenging and dangerous conditions, continue to carry out their mandate with dedication and courage. This is all the more commendable in the light of the difficulties endured during hostilities along the Blue Line in late 2024. We reiterate the call for all parties to cooperate with the Force and guarantee the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel. The inviolability of United Nations premises must be upheld at all times. We further underscore our call to all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the protection of civilians. Secondly, we reiterate that UNIFIL remains indispensable. Its continued presence is a vital stabilizing force along the Blue Line and in the region. Without the mission, tensions would likely escalate rapidly, significantly increasing the risk of renewed conflicts. UNIFIL’s core functions of monitoring, deconfliction and coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces are indispensable to preventing further destabilization. In this context, renewing UNIFIL’s mandate is not merely procedural but essential, serving as a critical buffer against renewed instability and supporting Lebanon in gradually assuming its responsibilities and exercising full sovereignty. We welcome the progress achieved in recent months. Nonetheless, the security situation remains fragile. The political process needs time and space to advance, while recovery and reconstruction efforts are only beginning. This merits careful consideration and a cautious adaptation of existing mechanisms in order to prevent any vacuum. That includes the continued work of Let me conclude by expressing our deep gratitude to all troop-contributing countries for their role in promoting regional stability.

Peacekeeping operations are indispensable for advancing Security Council mandates. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been critical in maintaining stability along the Blue Line and in its area of operations, helping to de-escalate tensions and reducing risks of confrontation. Throughout the negotiations on this resolution (resolution 2790 (2025)), we consistently stressed that any consideration of UNIFIL’s withdrawal must be conditions-based and informed by a strategic assessment of the situation and the realities on the ground, not driven by arbitrary timelines. We commend the Lebanese Government for its efforts to assert State authority, including by deploying more than 8,000 troops south of the Litani River, but it is worth recalling that Lebanon requested the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate and not its withdrawal. The resolution before us represents a compromise. We appreciate the constructive efforts of all parties and commend France for its deft handling. While the text does not fully reflect our position, we have gone along with it, as it encapsulates a compromise that garnered consensus. During the forthcoming period of UNIFIL’s mandate, the Council must ensure, first, a full redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to the south of the Litani River; secondly, a safe and orderly transition in close coordination with the host country; thirdly, enhanced international support for the LAF to strengthen its capacity, including through the lifting of any existing restrictions that impede its ability to fully and effectively discharge its responsibilities; fourthly, Israel’s withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, including the five positions and the two buffer zones in southern Lebanon; and lastly, the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and progress towards a sustainable political solution based on the options to be provided by the Secretary-General and in consultation with the parties concerned. UNIFIL has discharged its mandate with professionalism, including during recent hostilities. We appreciate UNIFIL’s leadership and personnel and troop- contributing countries for their dedication and sacrifices.

At the outset, I would like to thank France, the penholder, for its tireless efforts in steering the successful adoption of this resolution (resolution 2790 (2025)). Somalia voted in favour of the resolution to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We did so because we firmly believe that UNIFIL continues to play an essential role in maintaining stability along the Blue Line, preventing further escalations and supporting Lebanon during a period of immense regional challenges. We are aware of the grave pressures faced by the Lebanese people, and we underscore the importance of avoiding any actions that could undermine Lebanon’s fragile stability. UNIFIL’s presence remains a critical element in collective efforts to safeguard Lebanon, deter violations of resolution 1701 (2006) and contribute to de-escalation in southern Lebanon. We also stress the importance of respecting Lebanon’s Somalia supports this extension. While we understand that it should serve as a decisive window for consolidating the mission’s achievements, reinforcing the authority of the Lebanese State and creating the conditions necessary for a sustainable transition, we emphasize that UNIFIL’s transition and drawdown must be conducted safely, in an orderly manner and in close coordination with the host country. We call on Israel to withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territories, including the five positions in southern Lebanon, cease their daily air and drone strikes on Lebanese territory and comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, including those pertaining to the protection of civilians. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, adhere strictly to international law and avoid any provocations that could endanger Lebanon’s security or that of the wider region. In conclusion, Somalia reaffirms its unwavering support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East is viable only through enhanced and genuine commitment to dialogue in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

I join others in thanking France, the penholder for this file, for managing this final, unanimous renewal. The United States welcomes today’s historic vote, which brings an end to the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in a responsible, orderly and time-bound manner. It does so by renewing the mandate for a final time, while directing UNIFIL to cease its operations on 31 December 2026 and then to fully draw down and withdraw within no more than one year. The United States notes that the first “I” in UNIFIL stands for “Interim”. The time has come for UNIFIL’s mission to end. This is the last time that we will support an extension of UNIFIL. The security environment in Lebanon is radically different than just one year ago, creating the space for Lebanon to assume greater responsibility. We commend the progress in the Lebanese Armed Forces’ (LAF) deployment progress since the cessation of hostilities went into effect, and we will continue to work with the LAF to expand its capabilities, as Lebanon carries out its critical work in disarming Hizbullah. We support the Government of Lebanon’s efforts to assume security responsibilities throughout the country. We urge the international community to use the coming year to bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces as we work towards this shared objective. We must use this time to set Lebanon up for success. We also recognize Israel’s legitimate security needs and interests, including the need to defend itself from Hizbullah. We are committed to the cessation of hostilities and will continue to support both our Lebanese and our Israeli partners to sustain progress towards the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), the responsible drawdown of UNIFIL and the strengthening of the Lebanese State.

To ensure a smooth mandate renewal for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and especially by considering the position of Lebanon, the host country, China voted in favour of resolution 2790 (2025), which was just adopted. I will make three points. Secondly, for years, UNIFIL has significantly contributed to the maintenance of peace and stability along the Blue Line and in the region at large. The international community has broadly recognized and commended its contribution and expects UNIFIL to continue its role. Regrettably, despite the thorough constructive efforts and flexibility shown by France, the penholder, and other Council members, owing to the stubborn insistence of a permanent member, resolution 2790 (2025) represents the last mandate renewal for UNIFIL, which will have to end its mandate and start withdrawal by the end of 2026. Indeed, no United Nations mission should exist permanently, but no mission should withdraw in haste while the situation remains tense. With the situation on the ground being fragile, UNIFIL’s role in maintaining stability is indispensable. However, in total disregard of the tensions on the ground, in total disregard of the legitimate concerns of Lebanon as the host country and in total disregard of the strong voices of the vast majority of Council members, a permanent member has gone its own way and forcibly pushed for the closure of UNIFIL in a little more than one year’s time. This practice of imposing one’s will on others and taking ill-conceived and arbitrary actions is disappointing. Thirdly, setting the deadline for closing UNIFIL comes at a time when the United Nations is experiencing a serious liquidity crisis, and the Member States are discussing the UN80 Initiative. China believes that the most direct and effective solution to the current liquidity crisis lies in all Member States paying their assessments to the regular and peacekeeping budgets in full and without conditions. China supports the necessary reforms of the United Nations — reducing personnel and expenditure and improving quality and efficiency, with a view to better adapting to the changing reality — but this should be done on the premise of ensuring that the United Nations, especially the Security Council, can continue to perform its functions. Reform cannot become a reason for the non-fulfilment of financial obligations, let alone an excuse for arbitrarily abolishing peacekeeping operations regardless of the situation on the ground. United Nations peacekeeping operations are the collective decisions of the Council and reflect the collective will of the Council. A certain country, based on its own strategies and policies, categorizes the existing United Nations peacekeeping operations into different tiers, retains what it deems useful to itself and closes what it deems useless to itself. This selfish and irresponsible behaviour is not acceptable and should be rejected.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Panama. Panama welcomes the adoption of resolution 2790 (2025), which renews, albeit for one final period, the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), adopted unanimously today by the Security Council. We would like to thank France for its work in leading this process and all members of the Council for I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Lebanon.

Since this is the first time that I have the honour to represent my country, Lebanon, in the Security Council, allow me to express our appreciation to you, Mr. President, and the rest of the Council. We look forward to cooperating with you in the coming days. I also thank you for holding this meeting, and I thank all members of the Council for their positive engagement in the negotiations that led to the adoption of resolution 2790 (2025). I especially thank the penholder, France, for its constructive efforts to guarantee consensus thereon. I also thank all friendly countries in the Council that not only showed understanding for the concerns of the host State, Lebanon, but also supported its just and rightful position. I would also like to commend the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and express our appreciation for its role and efforts within its mandate and the sacrifices of its personnel, past and present, especially those martyrs who sacrificed their lives while performing the noble mission of maintaining peace and security. We salute their courage and resilience in the darkest of times. We also thank the Governments of the troop-contributing countries, which spared no effort to achieve the same noble goals. Lebanon welcomes the resolution to extend the mandate of UNIFIL. However, given that this is the last extension, we would like to recall the following facts. First, Lebanon still considers UNIFIL’s presence as essential to guaranteeing security and stability in Lebanon and the region until we reach a comprehensive political understanding on all pending issues pursuant to resolution 1701 (2006) in supporting the Lebanese State in extending its control over all its territories, in parallel with the regular and gradual withdrawal of UNIFIL, taking into account the progress made in that regard and the full withdrawal of Israel from all Lebanese territories. Secondly, there have been ongoing daily Israeli attacks against Lebanon, systematically targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure and preventing the return to their homes, their villages and lands of internally displaced persons, despite the announcement of the cessation of hostilities agreement on 26 November 2024. The source of the violations of all relevant international resolutions and this agreement has been Israel. Thirdly, the Lebanese Government, although recently formed, has made a number of important and unprecedented decisions that reflect the aspirations of the Lebanese people to extend the control of the Lebanese State over Lebanese territory, control the borders and restrict weapons, including those in the Palestinian camps, pursuant to the Taif Accords and resolution 1701 (2006). Fourthly, in order to implement the relevant decisions of the Government, the Lebanese Army has deployed south of the Litani River almost completely, full deployment being prevented by the fact that Israel still occupies some areas there. First, the Council must shoulder its full responsibilities in maintaining the security and stability of Lebanon and the region, even after the end of the mandate of UNIFIL. Lebanon reaffirms it will continue to cooperate with UNIFIL during the remainder of its mandate. We will continue to respect the status-of-forces agreement, to guarantee the security and safety of the personnel of UNIFIL and to facilitate its orderly and safe drawdown. Secondly, the Council members must shoulder their legal responsibilities to prevent Israel from violating Lebanese sovereignty and from impeding the reconstruction of the State in line with the aspirations of the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese people, pursuant to operative paragraphs 3 and 4 of the resolution, and to ensure the full, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Israel from all Lebanese territories, including the five border areas; the lifting of the so-called buffer zones; and the unconditional and immediate release of all Lebanese prisoners. Thirdly, the guarantor States for the arrangements of the cessation of hostilities must abide by their obligations in this regard and compel Israel to fully respect the agreement. Fourthly, the international community must support the tremendous efforts made by the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Army to build a strong, sovereign and capable State, through all possible means and without delay, in order to guarantee that Lebanon transitions this critical phase safely so that it can contribute to achieving the hoped-for social and economic stability. Fifthly, sufficient tangible support should be given to the Lebanese Army, without delay, at the bilateral and multilateral levels, to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities alongside other security institutions. We reaffirm that Lebanon will continue to look to the United Nations, with all its agencies and bodies, including the Council, as a reliable partner and a fair and objective representative of international legitimacy. Lebanon continues to believe that UNIFIL’s presence is a guarantee for Lebanon and reflects the principles of the Charter of the United Nations that call for strengthening the language of peace and dialogue among nations instead of the language of war and the glorification of military strength and the use of military force to impose new realities which, even if they achieve momentary gains, will not achieve the necessary peace among nations and will not lead to sustained security and stability.

I now give the floor to the representative of Israel.

First, I would like to thank France for their efforts as the penholders. Today is a historic day, following the vote that took place a few minutes ago in the Council and after 47 years of what was meant to be an interim presence. I remind Council members that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had an interim mandate. Today we can declare that UNIFIL is concluding its mandate on the border between Israel and Lebanon. We are at a decisive moment for Lebanon, Israel and the region, concerning what comes next. For decades, UNIFIL has been tasked with maintaining peace and security along the Blue Line. Yet, as its very name suggests, this was never intended to be a permanent presence. UNIFIL was meant to provide temporary stability while lasting solutions were being pursued. Israel has honoured its commitments. Since the start of the ceasefire understandings, in November 2024, Israel has reported hundreds of Hizbullah violations to the United States-led mechanism, including breaches of resolutions 1701 (2006) and 1559 (2004). However, Lebanon has struggled in its response. The Lebanese Armed Forces have acted on some violations, and we have to admit that. But their limited capacity and dependence on Hizbullah prevent effective enforcement. Strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces and ensuring their independence is essential if Lebanon is ever to reclaim full sovereignty from Hizbullah terrorists. Israel is prepared to advance dialogue with Lebanon, including talks on the enforcement of the Blue Line. Our readiness is very clear. We are willing to engage constructively on the condition that Lebanon takes concrete steps towards fulfilling its own obligations. We are presented with a unique opportunity today. Hizbullah has been weakened in the aftermath of the war following the 7 October massacre. That has opened a window for Lebanon to move towards disarming militias, as mandated in resolutions 1701 (2006) and 1559 (2004). Lebanese leaders have spoken positively about restoring sovereignty. Now, those words must translate into real action, beginning with dismantling Hizbullah’s military infrastructure. But despite the ceasefire in place, Hizbullah continues to rearm. It smuggles weapons across the Syrian border, transfers funds through Beirut International Airport, operates weapons factories and deploys unmanned aerial vehicles against Israel. Hizbullah fighters remain south of the Litani River, in direct violation of this very Council’s resolutions. These actions are not isolated incidents. They are part of a systematic effort to prepare for the next bloody conflict, and Israel will not stand idly by. The Council must respond with clarity. Hizbullah must be condemned, explicitly, for its terrorist activities, for violating international law and for attacking UNIFIL peacekeepers. Softened language only emboldens further violations. Accountability begins with calling things by their proper name. Never forget the lives taken away from us in Israel by Hizbullah terrorism. Let me remind Council members what happened approximately a year ago, on 27 July 2024, when young children were playing soccer in the northern town of Majdal Shams. Their world was shattered when Hizbullah murdered 12 of those beautiful children. Their parents were forced to recover their remains. The missile that murdered them was Iranian-made and supplied. These innocent children were in harm’s way because of the comprehensive failure by UNIFIL forces and the Lebanese Government to implement resolution 1701 (2006). Israel will continue to do whatever is necessary to defend its people. Until the ceasefire understandings are fully implemented, the Israel Defense Forces will maintain a presence at five strategic locations along the Blue Line. Our goal is Finally, let us be honest with ourselves. Most — or maybe even all — Council members ignored the root cause of this issue: Tehran. The Council must hold Iran accountable for its unspeakable war crimes. Tehran continues to funnel arms and funds to Hizbullah, often through Syria and Türkiye and even through direct commercial flights, all in flagrant violation of the arms embargo under resolution 1701 (2006). Iran’s interference destabilizes Lebanon and threatens the entire region. The Security Council must condemn these actions unequivocally. The time has come to chart a new course, one that empowers the Lebanese State, holds Hizbullah and Iran to account and restores the authority of the Council’s resolutions. Israel stands ready to work with all responsible partners to achieve a safer and better future for both Israelis and Lebanese. But that future cannot be built on denial. It must begin with confronting Hizbullah’s violations directly.