The head of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon says it is critical to ensure that other UN agencies and Lebanese troops assume the tasks carried out by the force before it begins withdrawing at the end of this year Major General Diodato Abagnara of Italy tells Reuters.

The UN Security Council has ordered Unifil to begin withdrawing at the end of 2026, triggering concerns over whether aid deliveries can continue and how the force can transfer its positions to Lebanese troops.

He says UNIFIL was already working with the UN’s country team to ensure humanitarian assistance in Israeli-occupied areas and information sharing with the Lebanese army about sensitive areas and how they can manage this situation.

Abagnara acknowledges that it may be very difficult to hand over some of UNIFIL’s posts to Lebanese troops, given that more than half lie within areas now controlled by Israeli troops.