UN Resolution 1701: A Path to Resolving the Hezbollah-Israel Conflict
- M.R Mishra
- Oct 7, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2024
It ha been a Year Since October 7 attack By Hamas on Israel , now widened to other players like Hezbollah.
Many diplomats and politicians argue that resolving the current conflict between Hezbollah and Israel must involve a political solution to bring lasting peace to both Lebanon and Israel. Part of this solution may require revisiting United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, passed over 18 years ago.
"The only way forward is a political settlement," stated Randa Slim, director of the conflict resolution program at the Middle East Institute, earlier this week. Slim added that a revised, stronger version of Resolution 1701 with improved enforcement measures could be key to peace. Although the resolution has faced criticism, Slim highlighted that it helped maintain 17 years of relative stability along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Resolution 1701, unanimously adopted by the Security Council in August 2006, marked the end of a brief but intense conflict between Hezbollah's armed forces and the Israeli military. This conflict began when Hezbollah infiltrated Israel in mid-July 2006, resulting in the deaths of eight Israeli soldiers and the abduction of two more. In response, Israel launched an aerial assault on Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut, and also deployed ground troops.
Update as of 27/11/24
The resolution called for a full cessation of hostilities, and both Hezbollah and Israel agreed to a cease-fire. The resolution aimed to create a buffer zone between Hezbollah and the Israeli military, stipulating that both sides must respect new rules within a designated area between the Litani River and the Blue Line, a temporary boundary drawn by the UN.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Lebanese army were tasked with overseeing this zone.
Furthermore, the resolution stated that only the Lebanese state and its military were to be armed, and Hezbollah was to disarm. However, these provisions lacked strong enforcement mechanisms, relying largely on the cooperation of both parties involved.
Despite ongoing violations, such as the cutting of trees by Israeli forces in 2010 and accusations of tunnel-building by Hezbollah in 2018, Resolution 1701 has been considered somewhat effective, maintaining a cease-fire for many years. However, recent escalations have put further strain on the resolution's effectiveness.
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