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UN Forces in Lebanon Losing Ground
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Brig.-Gen. (ret.) Assaf Orion - In July, the UN secretary-general submitted his most recent report on implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006 to monitor the cessation of hostilities between Hizbullah and Israel. As often reported by Israeli media, Hizbullah has stationed thousands of infantry troops from its elite Radwan unit along the border in blatant violation of Resolution 1701. Hizbullah is frequently violating Resolution 1701 in full battle dress, in broad daylight, and in significant numbers all across UNIFIL's area of responsibility, indicating a newfound indifference to being detected by UN surveillance. Hizbullah's current wave of new positions in operationally commanding locations and undisguised training activities indicate a wider military buildup. Hizbullah's campaign of hindering and terrorizing UNIFIL, injuring its personnel, damaging vehicles, and stealing gear has only intensified since February, with 23 reported incidents. The writer, former head of the Strategic Division in the IDF General Staff's Planning Directorate, is a Fellow at the Washington Institute.