663 Spanish soldiers are stationed on alert in Lebanon, while continuing regular patrols along the Blue Line that marks the border with Israel. This was stated this Monday by the Spanish Defense Secretary Margarita Robles.
On Sunday, after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, troops sought shelter in bunkers at the Miguel de Cervantes base in Marjayún. Gunfire from Palestinian militias believed to be Hezbollah prompted Israeli artillery strikes near Kfr Chouba, about 15 kilometers from the Spanish base.
The troops are part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), with all precautionary and security measures in place. General Aroldo Lázaro, who commands the UN peacekeeping mission on the Lebanon-Israel border, has been in contact with officials on both sides to prevent escalation.
UNIFIL’s mandate includes monitoring the cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon, and supervising the Blue Line that separates the two nations.
Hezbollah militias hailed Hamas’ actions in Israeli territory and marked them as a signal to Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, as relations with Israel move toward normalization.
This Monday, the Israeli army reported the killing of several armed suspects who had crossed from Lebanon into northern Israel. Helicopters were deployed to the area as the operation continued.
Previously, 16 Spaniards were killed in Lebanon
Spain has led UNIFIL since February 2022. General Aroldo Lázaro serves as Chief of Mission and commander of the security force. A total of 9,994 blue helmets from 49 countries have contributed to the mission, according to UN data.
UNIFIL has monitored the Lebanon-Israel border for 17 years. The cost in lives has been significant for Spain: 16 soldiers have died during this period. The latest UNIFIL data show Spain contributing 22,024 personnel, including military members, civilian security staff, and translators, to the mission.
An archival note mentions the arrival at Torrejón base of six legionary knight parachutists who were killed in an attack in Lebanon.
Spanish troops defend the integrity of the Blue Line, the boundary established by the United Nations in 2000 after Israel withdrew from Lebanon-occupied territories. In 2006, following a major war between the two states, the UN, with parliamentary approval, set up a peacekeeping mission in which Spain participated with more than 1,000 soldiers.
Regional tensions remain a concern, especially with fears that Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza could spill over into Lebanon. Corporal Francisco Javier Soria Toledo, 36, died in 2015 after being struck by a bullet fired by the Israeli army. Six legionnaires were killed in a 2007 car bombing in the country.
UNIFIL’s Spanish leadership
From Lebanon, the Spanish general Lázaro leads a heavily involved mission that faces complex political and security challenges. Experts highlight the professionalism and capability of Spanish troops and police in the mission, noting their value in managing delicate contexts on the ground.
In Beirut, the mission blends military presence with political nuance, aiming to maintain a ceasefire on the Blue Line and to prevent tensions from escalating while serving local communities with care and practical support.
Specific remarks emphasize the role of Spanish peacekeepers in contributing to the stability of the region by adhering to UN resolutions and maintaining lines of communication among all parties involved.
Recent comments describe the operation as a clear example of how military and diplomatic efforts intertwine to reduce risk and support regional peace efforts, especially during volatile periods along the border with Israel.