United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO)

Duration

7 July 1956 - to date

Military personnel

663

Fatalities

none

Decorations

none

On 14 May 1948, one day before the British mandate over Palestine was due to expire, the Jewish National Council proclaimed the state of Israel, whereupon the neighbouring countries, united in the Arab League, launched an attack on the new state. Almost a year later Israel concluded a General Ceasefire Agreement with its neighbouring countries. Agreements were reached in these accords about the course of the Israeli-Arab demarcation line and the setting up of mixed armistice commissions (MACs). Each of these commissions consisted of an equal number of representatives from Israel and one of its neighbouring countries, under the chairmanship of UNTSO's chief of staff or his designated representative. The chairman was supported by a team of unarmed military observers. The main tasks of the MACs are to investigate complaints about the application or violation of the General Ceasefire Agreements, to assist in the implementation of the peace agreements and, where necessary, report to both parties any activities observed along the ceasefire boundaries. The observers also man observation posts, conduct patrols and attend the MAC meetings. They also play a part in the exchange of POWs or the dead, and in returning lost livestock. If required, they also help with any changes in the border or ceasefire line. Another task resulting from resolution 54 is to monitor observance of the ceasefire. In the years following the Yom Kippur war (October 1973), the observers were incorporated in what were known as observer groups, each of which was under the operational control of one of the new peace missions: UNEF II, UNDOF and UNIFIL.