Aoun says IOF must withdraw from south by Jan.26 as violations persist

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
18 Jan 2025 14:25
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The Lebanese President stresses that "Israel's" continued violations completely contradict the provisions of the ceasefire agreement.

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This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 18, 2025 (Lebanese Presidency/AFP)

"Israel" must complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by the January 26 deadline established to fully implement the ceasefire agreed upon last year, Lebanon's newly elected President Joseph Aoun underlined on Saturday.

During a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Aoun stressed the necessity of "Israeli forces to withdraw from occupied territories in the south within the deadline set by the agreement reached on November 27."

A statement from Aoun’s office emphasized that "Israel's continued violations on land and in the air... blowing up homes and destroying border villages, completely contradicts what was stated in the ceasefire agreement."

According to the statement, Guterres affirmed that the UN would make every possible effort to ensure "Israel's" withdrawal within the timeframe outlined in the ceasefire agreement.

The November 27 ceasefire deal, which brought an end to two months of war, stipulates that the Lebanese Army must deploy alongside UNIFIL peacekeepers in southern Lebanon within 60 days as the Israeli military withdraws.

Simultaneously, Hezbollah is required to redeploy its forces north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.

Following his meeting with Aoun on Saturday, Guterres expressed optimism that Lebanon could embark on "a new chapter of peace."

A day earlier, Guterres had urged "Israel" to cease its military operations and "occupation" in southern Lebanon. He also claimed that UN peacekeepers had discovered over 100 weapons caches belonging to "Hezbollah or other armed groups."

French President Emmanuel Macron, who was also in Lebanon on Friday, called for the "accelerated" implementation of the ceasefire between Lebanon and "Israel".

Despite the agreement, Israeli occupation forces have continued to carry out strikes, claiming to target Hezbollah fighters who, according to them, are violating the accord that requires halting attacks and withdrawing beyond the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Israeli border.

Israeli soldiers infiltrate southern towns, loot furniture from homes

In a related context, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon reported that Israeli occupation soldiers are looting furniture from homes in the villages they are infiltrating.

The occupation forces are retreating from Wadi al-Slouqi toward the town of Houla after advancing earlier this morning, our correspondent said.

She noted that gunfire and explosions are clearly audible in the town of Mays al-Jabal.

Israeli military vehicles were also observed near the outskirts of the town of Yaroun toward Bint Jbeil, accompanied by the sound of gunfire.

The occupation forces advanced to the outskirts of Bint Jbeil, raided homes near Maroun al-Ras, and razed lands in the area.

According to our correspondent, Israeli occupation forces detonated an explosive in the al-Dabash neighborhood on the outskirts of Bint Jbeil and carried out a sweeping operation toward neighborhoods in the southern town.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army and the Red Cross, accompanied by UNIFIL peacekeeping forces, are preparing to head toward Mount al-Saddana to search for three youths targeted by an Israeli drone strike a few days ago.