The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed serious concerns regarding potential leaks of sensitive military information to Hezbollah by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). According to reports from Army Radio, senior IDF officials fear that photographs and documentation of Israeli military movements along the Lebanon-Israel border taken by UNIFIL peacekeepers are being transmitted to Hezbollah.
This allegation comes in the wake of a discovery by the IDF of an official UNIFIL document that referred to Israel as “the enemy.” The document’s language has raised eyebrows, prompting Israel to demand explanations from UNIFIL. In response, Army Radio reported that UNIFIL acknowledged the phrasing, attributing it to a mistake made while “copying the wording of the Lebanese army.”
Previous Allegations of UNIFIL Misconduct
These claims are not entirely new. In October 2023, Israeli news outlet Israel Hayom reported that captured Hezbollah operatives testified during their interrogations that Hezbollah had compensated UNIFIL personnel for access to their facilities for operational purposes. Although UNIFIL later labeled these reports as false, asserting that its personnel are dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in southern Lebanon, the IDF continues to question the effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission.
A senior IDF official voiced strong criticism, stating, “There is nothing good in UNIFIL. They contribute nothing, certainly not to disarming Hezbollah, and harm the IDF’s freedom of action.” The official added, “The sooner they move out of the area and end their activity, the better.”
Ongoing Tensions and Security Developments
The situation has been further complicated by reports of military secrets being leaked to Hezbollah by a Lebanese army chief during a ceasefire period. This incident allegedly occurred within a facility overseen by the United States, France, and UNIFIL, as reported by Britain’s The Times and confirmed by other sources.
In August 2023, the United Nations Security Council voted to extend UNIFIL’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon until the end of 2026. This extension is described as the final one before a year-long “orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal” of the forces. The ongoing tensions in the region continue to pose challenges for both the IDF and UNIFIL as they navigate their respective roles in maintaining security along the volatile Lebanon-Israel border.
As the situation evolves, the IDF remains vigilant and skeptical about UNIFIL’s operations and their implications for regional stability.
