Following the Egyptian invasion of Israel, the Security Council met to discuss the conflict. On October 22, 1973, the Security Council adopted resolution 338 which called for an immediate cease-fire. It also called upon the parties to implement its earlier resolution 242. On October 23rd, the Council adopted resolution 339 which confirmed the call for a cease-fire. It then called upon Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim to dispatch United Nations observers to supervise the observance of the cease-fire.
Fighting continued, however. On October 25th, the Security Council adopted resolution 340 which authorized a United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF II) to be composed of personnel drawn from UN member states, except the permanent members of the Council. On October 27th, the Security Council approved the Secretary-General's proposals for the functioning of UNEF II, which was established for an initial period of six months, subject to renewal.
General Ensio P.H. Siilasvuo of Finland was appointed interim commander of UNEF II on October 25th. The following day, General Siilasvuo and a group of UNTSO military observers established a temporary headquarters in Cairo. Troops began arriving and were immediately deployed along the front line. By February 1974, UNEF reached its authorized level of 7,000. UNEF II's immediate objective was to stop the fighting and prevent forward movement by the troops of both sides. Observation posts and check-points were established and patrols undertaken in sensitive areas with the assistance of UNTSO observers. As a result, the situation stabilized and the cease-fire was generally observed.
Over the next five years, extensive negotiations were conducted between Israel and Egypt. The negotiations were successful at achieving a partial disengagement and redeployment of forces. Buffer zones were established between the two sides. Throughout this period, UNEF II was responsible for monitoring the disengagement of forces and patrolling buffer zones.
In March 1979, an historic peace treaty was signed by Egypt and Israel. The treaty provided for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories over the course of three years. The treaty specifically provided for UN assistance in monitoring the implementation of the agreement. UN forces and observers were to perform a variety of duties, including the operation of check-points, reconnaissance patrols and observation posts along the demilitarized zone and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Tiran. However, due to the opposition of the Soviet Union, the Security Council was unable to extend the mandate of UNEF II. Accordingly, the mandate of UNEF II lapsed on July 24, 1979.
