Security Council resolution 2718 (2023) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) until 30 June 2024]
Symbol: S/RES/2718 (2023)
Date: 2023-12-21
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/78 [55] UN DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE
S/78 [54] MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
S/ X The situation in the Middle East.
Subjects: UN Disengagement Observer Force|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|TRUCE SUPERVISION|GOLAN HEIGHTS|ISRAEL|SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC|MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ALBANIA
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: ECUADOR
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GABON
vote: yes
country: GHANA
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALTA
vote: yes
country: MOZAMBIQUE
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SWITZERLAND
vote: yes
country: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2718 (2023)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                 21 December 2023




               Resolution 2718 (2023)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 9516th meeting, on
               21 December 2023
                    The Security Council,
                     Noting with concern that the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely
               to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the
               Middle East problem can be reached,
                    Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General on the United Nations
               Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) of 26 September 2023 (S/2023/699) and
               30 November 2023 (S/2023/935) and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of
               17 July 2000,
                    Stressing that both parties must abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement
               of Forces Agreement between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and scrupulously
               observe the ceasefire,
                     Expressing concern that the ongoing military activities conducted by any actor
               in the area of separation continue to have the potential to escalate tensions between
               Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic, jeopardize the ceasefire between the two
               countries, and pose a risk to the local civilian population and United Nations
               personnel on the ground,
                    Expressing its appreciation in this regard for UNDOF’s liaison efforts to prevent
               any escalation of the situation across the ceasefire line,
                    Expressing alarm that violence in the Syrian Arab Republic risks a serious
               conflagration of the conflict in the region,
                    Expressing concern at all violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement,
                    Noting the Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation in the area of
               operations of UNDOF, including findings about weapons fire across the ceasefire line
               as well as ongoing military activity on the Bravo side of the area of separation, and
               in this regard, underscoring that there should be no military forces, military
               equipment, or personnel in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF,
                     Calling upon all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions
               throughout the country, including in the UNDOF area of operations, and to respect
               international humanitarian law,
                    Noting the significant threat to the UN personnel in the UNDOF area of
               operation from unexploded ordnance, explosive remnants of war and mines, and



23-25849 (E)
*2325849*

S/RES/2718 (2023)

               emphasizing in this regard the need for demining and clearance operations in strict
               compliance with the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement,
                     Reaffirming its readiness to consider listing individuals, groups, undertakings,
               and entities providing support to ISIL (Da’esh) or to the Al-Nusra Front (also known
               as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham or Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham), including those who are
               financing, arming, planning, or recruiting for ISIL (Da’esh) or the Al-Nusra Front and
               all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with ISIL (Da’esh)
               and Al-Qaida as listed on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, including
               those participating in or otherwise supporting attacks against UNDOF peacekeepers,
                     Recognizing the necessity of efforts to flexibly adjust UNDOF’s posture to
               minimize the security risk to UNDOF personnel as UNDOF continues to implement
               its mandate, while emphasizing that the ultimate goal is for the peacekeepers to return
               to UNDOF’s area of operations as soon as practicable,
                    Emphasizing the importance of Security Council and troop-contributing
               countries having access to reports and information related to UNDOF’s redeployment
               configuration, and reinforcing that such information assists the Security Council with
               evaluating, mandating, and reviewing UNDOF and with effective consultation with
               troop-contributing countries,
                     Underscoring the need for UNDOF to have at its disposal all necessary means
               and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely, including technology and
               equipment to enhance its observation of the area of separation and the ceasefire line,
               and to improve force protection, as appropriate, and recalling that the theft of United
               Nations weapons and ammunition, vehicles and other assets, and the looting and
               destruction of United Nations facilities, are unacceptable,
                     Expressing its profound appreciation to UNDOF’s military and civilian
               personnel, including those from Observer Group Golan, for their service in an
               ongoing, challenging operating environment, underscoring the important
               contribution UNDOF’s continued presence makes to peace and security in the Middle
               East, welcoming steps taken to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF, including
               Observer Group Golan, personnel, and stressing the need for continued vigilance to
               ensure the safety and security of UNDOF and Observer Group Golan personnel,
                    Strongly condemning incidents threatening the safety and security of United
               Nations personnel,
                    Expressing its appreciation to UNDOF, including Observer Group Golan, for
               progress towards expanding its presence in its area of operations through patrols and
               rehabilitation of positions on the Bravo side,
                     Taking note of the Secretary-General’s plan for UNDOF to return to the Bravo
               side based on a continuous assessment of security in the area of separation and its
               surroundings, and continued discussion and coordination with the parties,
                     Recalls that UNDOF’s deployment and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces
               Agreement are steps toward a just and durable peace on the basis of Security Council
               resolution 338 (1973),
                     Recalling resolution 2378 (2017) and its request of the Secretary-General to
               ensure that data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, including
               peacekeeping performance data, is used to improve analytics and the evaluation of
               mission operations, based on clear and well identified benchmarks, and further
               recalling resolution 2436 (2018) and its request of the Secretary-General to ensure that
               decisions to recognize and incentivize outstanding performance and decisions regarding
               deployment, remediation, training, withholding of financial reimbursement, and


2/4                                                                                                       23-25849

                                                                                                    S/RES/2718 (2023)

           repatriation of uniformed or dismissal of civilian personnel, are predicated on objective
           performance data,
               Recalling resolution 2242 (2015) and its aspiration to increase the number of
           women in military and police contingents of United Nations peacekeeping operations,
                1.   Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution
           338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
                 2.   Stresses the obligation on both parties to scrupulously and fully respect
           the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, calls on the parties to
           exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of
           separation, encourages the parties to take full advantage of UNDOF’s liaison function
           regularly to address issues of mutual concern, as appropriate, and to maintain their
           liaison with UNDOF to prevent any escalation of the situation across the ceasefire
           line, as well as to support the enhancement of the UNDOF liaison function, and
           underscores that there should be no military activity of any kind in the area of
           separation, including military operations by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces;
                 3.   Underlines that UNDOF remains an impartial entity and stresses the
           importance to halt all activities that endanger United Nations peacekeepers on the
           ground and to accord the United Nations personnel on the ground the freedom to carry
           out their mandate safely and securely;
                4.   Expresses full support for Major General Nirmal Kumar Thapa as Head of
           Mission and Force Commander;
                5.    Calls on all groups other than UNDOF to abandon all UNDOF positions,
           and return the peacekeepers’ vehicles, weapons, and other equipment;
                6.     Calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of UNDOF, to
           respect its privileges and immunities and to ensure its freedom of movement, as well
           as the security of and unhindered and immediate access for the United Nations
           personnel carrying out their mandate, including the unimpeded delivery of UNDOF
           equipment and the temporary use of alternative ports of entry and departure, as
           required, to ensure safe and secure troop rotation and resupply activities, in
           conformity with existing agreements, and urges prompt reporting by the Secretary-General to the Security Council and troop-contributing countries of any actions that
           impede UNDOF’s ability to fulfil its mandate;
                 7.    Calls on the parties to provide all the necessary support to allow for the
           full utilization of the Quneitra crossing by UNDOF in line with established
           procedures to allow UNDOF to increase its operations on the Bravo side to facilitate
           effective and efficient mandate implementation;
                 8.    Requests UNDOF, within existing capacities and resources, member
           states, and relevant parties to take all appropriate steps to protect the safety, security
           and health of all UNDOF personnel, in line with resolution 2518 (2020);
                 9.    Welcomes UNDOF’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its presence and to
           intensify its operations in the area of separation, including the mission’s intent to
           resume inspections in all areas of limitation on the Bravo side, conditions permitting
           per the Mission’s assessment, as well as the cooperation of the parties to facilitate this
           return, together with continued efforts to plan for UNDOF’s expeditious return to the
           area of separation, including the provision of adequate force protection, based on a
           continuous assessment of security in the area;
                10. Underscores the importance of progress in the deployment of appropriate
           technology, including counter-improvised explosive device (IED) capabilities and a
           sense and warn system, as well as in addressing civilian staffing needs, to ensure the

23-25849                                                                                                          3/4

S/RES/2718 (2023)

               safety and security of UNDOF personnel and equipment, following appropriate
               consultations with the parties, and notes in this regard that the Secretary-General’s
               proposal for such technologies has been delivered to the parties for approval;
                     11. Encourages the parties to the Disengagement Agreement to engage
               constructively to facilitate necessary arrangements with UNDOF for the force’s return
               to the area of separation, taking into account existing agreements;
                    12. Encourages the Department of Peace Operations, UNDOF, and the UN
               Truce Supervision Organization to continue relevant discussions on recommendations
               from the 2018 independent review to improve mission performance and
               implementation of UNDOF’s mandate;
                     13. Welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the Secretary-General to standardize
               a culture of performance in UN peacekeeping, recalls its request in resolution 2378
               (2017) and resolution 2436 (2018) that the Secretary-General ensure that performance
               data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations is used to improve mission
               operations, including decisions such as those regarding deployment, remediation,
               repatriation and incentives, and reaffirms its support for the development of a
               comprehensive and integrated performance policy framework that identifies clear
               standards of performance for evaluating all United Nations civilian and uniformed
               personnel working in and supporting peacekeeping operations that facilitates effective
               and full implementation of mandates, and includes comprehensive and objective
               methodologies based on clear and well-defined benchmarks to ensure accountability for
               underperformance and incentives and recognition for outstanding performance, and
               calls on the United Nations to apply this framework to UNDOF as described in
               resolution 2436 (2018), notes the efforts of the Secretary-General to develop a
               comprehensive performance assessment system and requests the Secretary-General and
               troop- and police-contributing countries to seek to increase the number of women in
               UNDOF, as well as to ensure the full, equal, and meaningful participation of uniformed
               and civilian women at all levels, and in all positions, including senior leadership
               positions, and to implement other relevant provisions of resolution 2538 (2020);
                     14. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary measures
               to ensure full compliance of all personnel in UNDOF, civilian and uniformed,
               including mission leadership and mission support personnel with the United Nations
               zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council fully
               informed through his reports to the Council about the Mission’s progress in this
               regard, including by reporting on the start, agreed deadlines, and outcomes of 2272
               reviews, stresses the need to prevent such exploitation and abuse and to improve how
               these allegations are addressed in line with resolution 2272 (2016), and urges troopand police-contributing countries to continue taking appropriate preventive action,
               including vetting of all personnel, pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training,
               and to take appropriate steps to ensure full accountability in cases of such c onduct
               involving their personnel through timely investigation of allegations by troop - and
               police-contributing countries, and UNDOF as appropriate, holding perpetrators to
               account and repatriating units when there is credible evidence of widespread or
               systemic sexual exploitation and abuse by those units;
                     15. Decides to renew the mandate of UNDOF for a period of six months, that
               is, until 30 June 2024, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that UNDOF has
               the required capacity and resources to fulfil the mandate in a safe and secure way;
                     16. Requests the Secretary-General to report every 90 days on developments
               in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).




4/4                                                                                                      23-25849