What is UNIFIL? the UN mission in southern Lebanon explained

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has patrolled southern Lebanon along the border with Israel since 1978, acting as a buffer force following Israel’s invasion of the region. Expanded after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the mission now monitors the ceasefire and supports the Lebanese army, with more than 7,500 peacekeepers deployed—though it has no mandate to intervene militarily.