BEIRUT: Spanish UN peacekeepers have been enduring the dangers of a war zone for over 10 months on the deserted border between Lebanon and Israel.
The area has seen crossfire between Israeli forces and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, resulting in casualties among both peacekeepers and Lebanese civilians, as well as severe disruptions in daily life.
“Sometimes we need to shelter due to the shelling… sometimes even inside the bunkers,” said Alvaro Gonzalez Gavalda, a Blue Helmet stationed at Base 964 of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Journalists escorted by a UNIFIL convoy through nearly deserted villages observed the impact of the conflict: fields charred by bombardments and only a few shops still operating. The base, fortified with barbed wire and heavy stone berms, is located near Khiam, where many houses have been damaged or destroyed. The Israeli town of Metula, visible from the base, has also been evacuated, as have other nearby communities.
From a watchtower, peacekeepers use binoculars to monitor the Golan Heights, an area frequently targeted by Hezbollah. Spanish Lt. Col. Jose Irisarri explained that UNIFIL’s mission, mandated by Security Council Resolution 1701, is to “control the area” and assist the Lebanese government and armed forces in maintaining control south of the Litani River.
This resolution, which followed the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, required all armed groups to withdraw north of the Litani, except for Lebanese state forces and UN peacekeepers.
Hezbollah, despite not having a visible military presence since 2006, continues to exert influence in southern Lebanon. Following the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, Hezbollah launched a “support front” against Israeli positions, leading to retaliatory strikes from Israel.
Spanish peacekeepers, part of a broader UNIFIL force of around 10,000 troops from 49 countries, play a crucial role in maintaining communication between the Israeli and Lebanese sides. UNIFIL’s mandate, set to expire at the end of August, has been requested for renewal by Lebanon.
Cross-border violence since the outbreak of the Gaza war has resulted in 601 deaths in Lebanon. The Spanish contingent also provides local support, such as assisting students with special needs.
The peacekeepers, despite the ongoing threats, find solace in small comforts, such as a gym and movies, and maintain daily contact with their families through the internet. They have also placed a small statue of the Virgin Mary inside a protective glass case on their grounds, a symbol of hope amid the adversity.
