German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has proposed deploying a European Union-mandated force to Lebanon to replace the United Nations peacekeeping mission UNIFIL when its mandate expires at the end of 2026.
The proposal follows the UN Security Council's August 2025 decision to end the UNIFIL mission, which has monitored the Israel-Lebanon border since 1978. France and Italy announced in late June 2026 their readiness to support a new mission, and the EU is already planning a three-year military and civilian assistance operation for Lebanese security forces. Lebanon has expressed support for a potential EU-led deployment.
The diplomatic push comes as Israel and Lebanon concluded a sixth round of US-brokered talks in Rome on July 15, focused on establishing pilot zones in southern Lebanon.