Lebanese Army accuses IOF of shirking commitments, violating ceasefire
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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stresses the need for "Israel" to complete its withdrawal from South Lebanon and hand over citizens it detained.
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A Lebanese army jeep patrols in the southern Lebanese border village of Sarada after Israeli forces pulled out, on February 19, 2025 (AFP)
The Lebanese Army announced on Wednesday that its units are continuing their deployment across all southern border towns, while the Israeli occupation persists "in shirking its commitments and in violating Lebanese sovereignty through ongoing attacks on the security of Lebanon and its citizens."
In a statement, the military confirmed that Israeli forces remain stationed at several border points. It said the army's deployment along the border is being carried out in coordination with the Quintet Committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement and UNIFIL following the Israeli withdrawal.
However, the army pointed out that the Israeli military has not fully withdrawn from Lebanese territory as required by international conventions, legal frameworks, and UN resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 1701.
It also affirmed that its specialized military units have intensified efforts to facilitate the return of residents to their lands by clearing rubble, reopening roads in the wake of the widespread destruction caused by the Israeli aggression, and addressing unexploded ordnance and suspicious objects that pose an imminent threat to civilian lives.
"Israel" announced just before the deadline that it would maintain troops in "five strategic points" near the border. The occupation military said they were hilltops overlooking the frontier where troops would remain to "make sure there's no immediate threat."
Regarding ongoing Israeli violations, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported earlier on Wednesday that an Israeli occupation patrol opened fire at a Lebanese Army post south of the town of Shebaa, without causing any casualties.
Our correspondent added that Israeli forces conducted a sweeping operation using machine guns from the al-Radar military site on the outskirts of Shebaa, targeting residential areas in the southern town.
Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) correspondent in Marj'youn reported that an Israeli bulldozer erected a new earthen barrier near the square of the southern Lebanese town of Odaisseh, in Khallet al-Mahafer.
Additionally, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported on Wednesday that an Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in the town of Ayta al-Shaab, resulting in the martyrdom of one individual.
The ministry also stated that Israeli occupation forces opened fire in the town of al-Wazzani, wounding two people.
Lebanese President says it is necessary to end the Israeli occupation
A ceasefire agreement reached on November 27 brought an end to more than a year of confrontations between "Israel" and Hezbollah, including two months of full-scale war during which Israeli forces entered southern Lebanon.
As part of the agreement, Lebanon’s military was to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers while the Israeli military conducted a phased withdrawal over a 60-day period, later extended to February 18.
Hezbollah, in turn, was required to pull back north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
During a phone call with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on Wednesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed the need for "Israel" to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the presidency.
"It is necessary to end the Israeli occupation of the remaining points and to complete implementation" of the ceasefire agreement, Aoun said, while also emphasizing "the need to hasten the return of Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel."
On Tuesday, Lebanese officials confirmed they were in communication with ceasefire mediators—the United States and France—urging them to pressure "Israel" into a full withdrawal. They described the Israeli military's ongoing presence in the five outposts as an "occupation".
The United Nations has also condemned the partial Israeli withdrawal, labeling it a violation of a Security Council resolution.
Despite the incomplete pullout, many displaced residents have been able to return to their border villages, many of which suffered extensive destruction during the war.
On Wednesday, Lebanon’s Civil Defense reported that its teams had recovered 11 bodies from several border towns and villages, including seven from Mays al-Jabal.
Read more: France urges complete Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon
