The future of United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon has become a point of contention between the United States and its European allies, with the Trump administration pushing to end the mission known as UNIFIL. The operation, which monitors security in southern Lebanon, faces criticism from both Israel and Hezbollah, as well as U.S. officials who view it as ineffective and costly. European nations, particularly France and Italy, argue that ending UNIFIL prematurely could create a security vacuum that Hezbollah might exploit, drawing on lessons from other regions where peacekeeping missions ended before local forces were ready.

After negotiations, the United States agreed to a one-year extension of UNIFIL's mandate, followed by a possible six-month wind-down, though France and other allies resist setting a firm deadline. The debate continues ahead of a United Nations Security Council vote, with financial pressures possibly leading to a scaled-down mission. Lebanese officials warn that the country's army is not yet prepared to fully take over security, and the United Nations maintains that the peacekeepers are vital for regional stability.