Israeli forces to remain in Lebanon beyond Jan 26 deadline: Netanyahu

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
24 Jan 2025 15:32
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims that Lebanon “has not yet fully enforced” its obligations under the ceasefire agreement.

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An Israeli tank maneuvers inside a village in South Lebanon, as seen from northern occupied Palestine, Thursday, January 23, 2025. (AP)

"Israel" will not meet the 60-day deadline for its full withdrawal from southern Lebanon, set for Sunday, January 26, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday.

In the first public acknowledgment of the delay, following weeks of speculation, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement explaining that the Israeli military's withdrawal process "is conditional on the Lebanese Army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws beyond the Litani.”

Netanyahu alleged that since Lebanon "has not yet fully enforced" its obligations under the ceasefire, "the phased withdrawal process will continue," further claiming "full coordination with the United States."

The premier claimed that the terms of the agreement were drafted "with the understanding that the withdrawal process may continue beyond 60 days."

Meanwhile, the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on November 27 and ended the two-month war, specifies that the withdrawal "should not exceed 60 days."

Currently, the Israeli occupation military remains deployed in several villages in southern Lebanon, primarily in the eastern sector. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces have taken control of villages in the western sector as the occupation forces have begun their pullback.

Under the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese Army is required to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as the Israeli military completes its withdrawal over a 60-day period.

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

A committee consisting of delegates from "Israel", Lebanon, France, the United States, and a representative from the UN peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, has been established to monitor and address any violations of the ceasefire.

It is noteworthy that the UN peacekeeping force has reported multiple instances of Israeli violations of the ceasefire terms.

Staying in Lebanon will take us back 40 years: Israeli expert

Jack Neria, an Israeli expert on Lebanese affairs, warned of a "scenario reminiscent of 1982 to 2000, namely guerrilla warfare with Hezbollah against military positions."

"This will take us back 40 years. Hezbollah's statements [regarding Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon] must be taken seriously," he told the Israeli Channel 13.

On Thursday, Hezbollah issued a statement emphasizing the necessity for the Israeli occupation to fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. The statement highlights the importance of ensuring that the Israeli occupation forces withdraw entirely from Lebanon, as stipulated in the agreement.

Hezbollah's statement comes amid reports of potential delays in the Israeli withdrawal, with some leaks suggesting that the occupation is seeking to extend its presence in Lebanon. The group called on Lebanese political authorities to exert pressure on the countries sponsoring the agreement to ensure its full implementation.

"The leaks indicating that the enemy plans to delay its withdrawal and remain in Lebanon for a longer duration require everyone, especially the political authorities in Lebanon, to exert pressure on the countries sponsoring the agreement," Hezbollah said.

The group stressed the need for active monitoring of the final days of the deadline to guarantee the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the deployment of the Lebanese army to the last inch of Lebanese land, and the swift return of residents to their villages.

"It is essential to actively monitor the final days of the deadline to ensure complete withdrawal, deployment of the Lebanese army to the last inch of Lebanese land, the swift return of residents to their villages, and preventing any excuses or justifications for prolonging the occupation."

The statement warned that any breach of the 60-day deadline would be considered a blatant violation of the agreement and an encroachment on Lebanese sovereignty.

Hezbollah also asserted that such a situation would necessitate a response from the Lebanese state through all means and methods guaranteed by international treaties to reclaim and liberate the land from occupation.

Hezbollah emphasized that any attempt to evade the agreement under weak pretexts would be unacceptable, calling for strict adherence to the agreement without any concessions, as the situation is closely monitored in anticipation of the complete Israeli withdrawal in the coming days.

"As we closely monitor the situation, which should culminate in the complete withdrawal in the coming days, any breach of the agreement and commitments will be unacceptable. We call for strict adherence without any concessions," the statement concluded.