He added that UN missions continue to fulfill their mandates despite increasingly difficult conditions on the ground.
“There is no pre-drawdown mandate,” Lacroix said of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), emphasizing that the mission will continue to operate under its current authorization until the end of December 2026.
UNIFIL, he said, remains focused on supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and promoting the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701, which ended hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah in 2006.
Lacroix said cooperation with Lebanese authorities and the LAF remains “excellent” and welcomed the Government’s recent statements on the progress made in establishing operational control in the south, although he acknowledged that “there are still several things to do.”
Growing danger
At the same time, he expressed grave concern about a growing number of hostile incidents affecting UN peacekeepers, particularly those involving the Israel Defense Forces.
“The frequency of these incidents has been quite high, it has been increasing,” he said, warning that several encounters “could have had very tragic consequences” for peacekeepers.
He said he had raised the issue with his Israeli counterparts and emphasized that “It is in no one’s interest to put the lives of peacekeeping personnel at risk,” and reminded all parties of their responsibility to ensure the safety of UN personnel.
Lacroix also described widespread devastation in southern Lebanon, where entire villages and civilians remain unable to return to their homes, undermining prospects for recovery and reconstruction.
A UNIFIL convoy in southern Lebanon. (file photo)
Financial stress and adaptation
Beyond security risks, Mr. Lacroix highlighted the impact of funding shortfalls on peacekeeping operations, noting that UNIFIL and other missions have had to implement savings plans due to delayed or incomplete contributions from some Member States.
He praised peacekeepers for adapting under pressure and said they had “managed to mitigate the impact” of financial constraints through innovation and operational adjustments.
Syria and regional dynamics
Turning to Syria, Lacroix said the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) continues to fulfill its mandate with strong support from both the Security Council and the Syrian authorities.
However, he noted that conditions on the ground have changed significantly since Israeli forces established positions within the separation area defined by the 1974 withdrawal agreement.
Established in May 1974, following the Yom Kippur War, UNDOF is mandated to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and monitor the separation zones as provided for in the 1974 agreement.
“What we would like is to return to the situation in which UNDOF was the only military presence in the area of separation,“Lacroix said, describing recent talks between Israel and Syria, mediated by the United States, as “positive.”
UNDOF peacekeepers patrolling in the Golan Heights.
Mine action and wider needs
He also underlined the growing importance of United Nations mine action efforts in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory generally, saying the needs were “enormous” and urging greater support from donors.
“We are willing to do more,Lacroix said, highlighting that additional resources would be critical to protect civilians and support recovery in conflict-affected areas.