UNIFIL Hands Over Southern Lebanon Position to Lebanese Army

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) handed over a military position in the Khardali-Litani area of southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Army's 7th Brigade on August 20, 2026. This transfer is part of a broader transition of peacekeeping sites to Lebanese military control following a United Nations Security Council decision to terminate the UNIFIL mission by the end of the year.

The handover aligns with security arrangements established in a June framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Under this agreement, Israel is required to gradually withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory, while Lebanon must ensure the disarmament of armed groups, specifically Hezbollah.

While UNIFIL continues to operate under its mandate until December, the force has urged all regional parties to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The organization stated that "instability is not in anyone’s interest" and warned that "civilians bear the heaviest burden when conflict disrupts daily life."