The United States Considering Ending Support for UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon as Controversy Sparks
June 9, 2025, 10:04 am

The United States Considering Ending Support for UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon as Controversy Sparks

قوة اليونيفيل لبنان

The Times of Israel reported, citing U.S. sources, that the United States is currently examining the possibility of ending its support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The newspaper explained that the U.S. administration has not yet made a final decision regarding the future of its support for these forces but is aiming to implement broad reforms, which may include halting support.

It added that the mandate of UNIFIL is renewed annually through a resolution issued by the United Nations Security Council, and that the United States has the right to veto the upcoming resolution scheduled for August.

Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post indicated that the U.S. has already decided to vote against extending UNIFIL’s mandate, reflecting a wave of anticipated changes.

In another development, both Israel and the United States have agreed on the need to put an end to UNIFIL’s operations in southern Lebanon, according to sources.

In response to recent events, Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for UNIFIL in southern Lebanon, stated that Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs represent a serious escalation. He clarified that these strikes are not only a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and hinder the implementation of Resolution 1701 but also pose a significant threat to the fragile stability in the region, especially after the ceasefire agreement.

He pointed out that the escalation increases tensions and threatens to create a very dangerous security situation in an area that has already experienced over 15 months of conflict, signaling a potential for further escalation.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”