Live Updates: Israel attacks Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza, attacks on Hezbollah continue across Lebanon

Last week, the United Nations said the Israeli military fired on its peacekeepers, forcibly entered its base, halted logistics and injured more than a dozen of its troops in southern Lebanon.

Israel’s attacks on the peacekeeping mission, which has operated in Lebanon for more than 45 years, have been widely condemned by the international community. UNIFIL – the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon – called the violations “shocking”, while Israel accused Hezbollah of operating in areas near UNIFIL posts.

What is UNIFIL and what does it do?

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established by the UN Security Council following Israel’s first invasion of southern Lebanon in 1978.

Its mission was to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the country, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the region. In June 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon for the second time and subsequently established a security zone within the country that remained in place until its withdrawal in 2000.

In 2000, UNIFIL established the Blue Line – a 120-kilometer area along southern Lebanon to ensure the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. It acts as the de facto border between the two countries, as there is an ongoing border dispute between Lebanon and Israel.

The mission consists of more than 10,000 personnel from 50 countries, most of whom are troops. Indonesia, Italy, India, Nepal, Ghana and Malaysia provide the most troops. UNIFIL troops are tasked with monitoring border violations and securing the area, which includes Hezbollah strongholds.

Read more about UNIFIL and its features.