UN special coordinator in Israel for talks on Lebanon border stability

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, arrived in Israel on Sunday for high-level meetings with Israeli officials as part of ongoing efforts to enhance security and stability along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon. 

The visit comes at a critical time, as tensions in the region remain high, according to a statement from the United Nations.

Discussions during the visit are expected to center on the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which came into effect on November 27, 2024, as well as the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Adopted in 2006, this resolution aimed to end the war between Israel and Hezbollah and establish a framework for maintaining stability along the Blue Line.

Hennis-Plasschaert stressed the importance of preventing a new status quo from taking root, warning that it could jeopardize ongoing peace efforts.

“We must not allow a new status quo to settle in that could undermine peace efforts,” she reiterated in the UN statement.

The UN official's visit comes amid Israel’s continued occupation of several positions in southern Lebanon, despite being scheduled to withdraw by February 18 under the revised ceasefire agreement terms.

Since November 27, Israel has been responsible for numerous cross-border incidents and attacks, with tensions escalating in recent weeks. On Friday night, Israel launched a wave of 15 airstrikes, further fueling concerns over the fragility of the ceasefire.

The continued military presence of Israeli forces in Lebanon’s southern region and the escalating cross-border strikes pose a serious challenge to diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring a long-term cessation of hostilities.

As diplomatic discussions continue, the international community remains watchful, urging both sides to adhere to the terms of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement. With Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert’s visit, the UN seeks to reaffirm its commitment to de-escalation, but whether Israel and Hezbollah will fully comply with their obligations remains uncertain.

The coming weeks will be decisive in determining whether the ceasefire holds or whether the region slides back into a renewed cycle of conflict.