Efforts to reinforce state authority across Lebanon and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701 have come under strain in recent days, as United Nations peacekeepers in the country’s volatile south face a renewed wave of harassment and obstruction.

In a string of confrontational incidents, patrols belonging to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have been blocked from carrying out routine operations. On Tuesday, residents in the southern town of Bint Jbeil reportedly prevented a UNIFIL patrol from proceeding without an escort by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

A similar encounter occurred on Friday in Tayr Debba, where two young men obstructed an armored convoy, forcing the peacekeepers to retreat. In a video that quickly spread online, one of the men can be heard insisting, “They’re not allowed to enter without the Lebanese army.”

Sources at the Presidential Palace told Asharq Al-Awsat that President Joseph Aoun addressed these events during a recent meeting with UNIFIL Commander Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro, emphasizing the need for tighter coordination between peacekeepers and the army to avoid future confrontations.

“The army is taking active steps to de-escalate the situation and prevent similar incidents,” one official said, adding that friction with local residents could threaten broader stability.

Senior government officials have condemned the attacks as “unacceptable,” referencing Aoun’s earlier reaction to a similar assault on UNIFIL troops near Beirut airport two months ago, which he labeled “reprehensible and condemned.”

That episode led to the arrest of 25 individuals, of whom 19 were later released. The remaining six remain in custody and face trial under the jurisdiction of a military court.

“All complaints should be directed to the Lebanese army, which is the official force deployed in these regions,” a senior official said. “Repeated interference in UNIFIL’s work risks undermining the relationship between peacekeepers and the local population. It’s important to remember that communities benefit from UNIFIL not only in terms of security, but also through humanitarian and social services.”

“There’s a clear disconnect,” one official noted. “Someone appears to be working in opposition to the state’s objectives. It’s as if a different agenda is being pushed behind the scenes.”

The official warned that the continued targeting of peacekeepers could jeopardize the mission’s long-term viability.

“UNIFIL understands these acts are not endorsed by the state. The government is taking them seriously. But if this continues, contributing nations might start rethinking their involvement.”

Riad Kahwaji, a security analyst and director of the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis (INEGMA), placed the blame squarely on Hezbollah, accusing the group of orchestrating the disruptions as a strategic message.

“Hezbollah has consistently used civilians to obstruct UNIFIL patrols when it wants to send a signal,” Kahwaji told Asharq Al-Awsat. “This is its way of demonstrating who controls the territory—especially now, as Lebanese leaders show signs of supporting efforts to disarm the group.”

“No one in these areas acts without Hezbollah’s blessing,” he added, dismissing the notion of spontaneous civilian protests as “a convenient façade.”

Kahwaji cautioned that if the government fails to take decisive action and arrest those behind the incidents, further escalation is likely.

“Eventually, even the Lebanese army—currently expanding its presence in the region—could be targeted,” he warned.