Middle East | UNTSO

The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) became the first UN Peacekeeping in May 1948, tasked with mediating conflict between Israel and its neighbors both during and after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. This work is carried out over five countries — Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Since then, UNTSO military observers remain in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist other United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region, including in the Golan Heights (UNDOF) and Lebanon (UNIFIL).

UNTSO’s mandate is open-ended and does not require continuous renewal.

How UNTSO Supports U.S. Interests

Although UNTSO is the oldest peacekeeping mission, it remains critical to U.S. interests in the region to avoid renewed conflict in the Middle East.

Supports Regional Stability

UNTSO Observer Groups are based in Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. Each of these groups has different goals, but the overarching mission remains to observe and report any violations of ceasefires and peace agreements and any activities that represent a threat to international peace and security in the region.
Promotes Human Rights

Due to the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Palestine and the Syrian civil war, the UN peacekeeping missions in the region work together to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance to refugees.