Understanding UNSC Resolution 1701, The Foundation of the Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire

The recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, effective from November 27, is based on the framework of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701, which was passed in 2006.

Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire: Built on UNSC Resolution 1701 Framework

This ceasefire proposal was approved by Israel’s security cabinet following a US-backed initiative aimed at ending a 13-month-long conflict that escalated in September. US President Joe Biden announced the ceasefire after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, marking the cessation of hostilities at 4 a.m. local time. The primary objective is a permanent end to the violence, with a specific focus on neutralizing Hezbollah and other militant groups that have threatened Israel's security.

Resolution 1701 was originally adopted after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, which began when Hezbollah fighters killed three Israeli soldiers and kidnapped two others. The war lasted for over a month, leading to more than 1,000 Lebanese casualties and around 170 Israeli deaths. The UNSC passed Resolution 1701 on August 11, 2006, calling for a full cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as a long-term solution to prevent further conflict.

The resolution’s key provisions include:

- The disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon, with the Lebanese state holding exclusive authority over weapons and military assets.
- A complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the establishment of a buffer zone monitored by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
- The removal of foreign forces from Lebanon and the prohibition of arms sales to the country without the Lebanese government's approval.

The current ceasefire proposal, backed by the US, builds upon the principles of Resolution 1701. It aims for a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah within 60 days, allowing Hezbollah fighters to retreat 40 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli ground forces are also expected to withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories, further enforcing the Blue Line, a UN-demarcated border between the two nations. 

This ceasefire, while rooted in the framework of Resolution 1701, represents a renewed effort to stabilize the region and ensure long-term peace. However, past challenges in fully implementing the resolution suggest that its success depends on effective monitoring and cooperation from both parties.