Introduction

The role of United Nations (UN) peacekeeping forces in maintaining regional stability is a topic of considerable debate and analysis. This article delves into the effectiveness of such forces, particularly the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and their ability to address security challenges in regions like Gaza. We analyze whether a UN peacekeeping force in Gaza would pose a significant improvement over the current efforts in Lebanon, focusing on their mandate, capabilities, and historical performance.

Understanding the Mandate and Capability of Peacekeeping Forces

Prior to discussing the potential of a UN peacekeeping force in Gaza, it's crucial to understand the nature and limitations of peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping forces exist primarily to maintain and facilitate a ceasefire and create space for political solutions. Their mandate is often constrained by a lack of enforcement powers, which may render them ineffective in scenarios of ongoing conflict.

The primary objective of a peacekeeping force is to keep the peace by monitoring ceasefires and ensuring the withdrawal of parties from contested territories. However, they lack the authority and resources to fundamentally change the underlying tensions that lead to conflicts. In Gaza, as it stands, Israel and the Gazan authorities are engaged in an active state of hostilities, making the concept of peacekeeping a challenging task.

Israel and Gaza: An Ongoing Conflict

The current situation in Gaza is characterized by an ongoing war, which has been initiated and sustained by the Gazan authorities. Israeli forces have not yet concluded their military operations, thus there is no established peace to be maintained. The constant hostilities, coupled with the complex dynamics of resistance and conflict, make the deployment of a peacekeeping force a difficult proposition.

Impotence and Ineffectiveness of UNIFIL in Lebanon

The history of UN peacekeeping in the Middle East, particularly with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), highlights challenges and inadequacies. UNIFIL was established with the mandate to prevent Hezbollah's entrenchment in South Lebanon and to maintain peace and security in the area. Despite its presence and the specific resolution (UN Resolution 1701) that governs its duties, UNIFIL has largely failed to achieve its objectives.

Besides observing helplessly, UNIFIL has often turned a blind eye to Hezbollah's activities, allowing them to build infrastructure and maintain a significant presence along the Israeli border. This has led to the need for ongoing military operations by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure, despite the proximity of these installations to UNIFIL bases.

Case Study: The Decline of UNIFIL's Properties

The situation in Lebanon in 2024 is a prime example of the limitations of UN peacekeeping forces. In October 2024, Israeli forces entered Lebanon to dismantle Hezbollah's infrastructure, a task that UNIFIL was supposed to undertake but failed to do effectively. When faced with the need to relocate due to the proximity of these installations, UNIFIL's refusal to cooperate not only made the IDF's job harder but also resulted in minor casualties that UNIFIL attributed to the IDF, rather than their own inadequate leadership.

Lessons from UNIFIL and Future Implications for Gaza

The failure of UNIFIL in Lebanon underscores the critical need for a meaningful and enforceable mandate. To be effective, a UN peacekeeping force in Gaza would require not just the mandate but also the authority to search and destroy, backed by appropriate weaponry and resources. Any force without these capabilities would be doomed to repeated failures similar to UNIFIL's.

There are those who argue that a change in mandate could transform the situation. However, based on the historical performance of UNIFIL, such a transformation is far from a guarantee. It would require a fundamental shift in the approach and, most importantly, the commitment of all parties to abide by UN resolutions and orders.

Conclusion

Given the historical context and the current state of Gaza and Lebanon, deploying a UN peacekeeping force in Gaza without a significant and enforceable mandate would be as futile as the existing efforts in Lebanon. The impotence and ineffectiveness of UNIFIL illustrate the monumental challenge of peacekeeping in the face of unresolved conflicts. For any peacekeeping mission to succeed, it must not only have the right mandate but also the necessary authority and resources to enforce it.