Israel Threatens To Act If Hezbollah ‘Keeps Breaching Ceasefire Agreement’
A fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on November 27, is currently under threat.
Israel has threatened to act if Lebanese group, Hezbollah keeps “breaching ceasefire agreement”.
A fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on November 27, is currently under threat.
The ceasefire was established after two months of intense conflict, but has been marred by allegations of violations from both parties.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant’s counterpart, Israel Katz, conveyed Israel’s stance, accusing Hezbollah of failing to uphold the terms of the agreement.
Katz warned that if Hezbollah continues to breach the ceasefire, Israel will be compelled to take action.
Hezbollah had earlier also through its chief, Naim Qassem, accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire agreement.
Hezbollah had accused Israel of violating the ceasefire, saying the group was prepared to respond even before the expiry of a 60-day deadline for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
“We have said that we are giving an opportunity to prevent Israeli violations and to implement the agreement and we will exercise patience,” Qassem said.
The UN peacekeeping force has also repeatedly accused Israel of violating the ceasefire terms.
After visiting the military’s northern command, Katz issued a warning to Hezbollah.
Israel most recent position came after Katz said Hezbollah had still not withdrawn “beyond the Litani river” in southern Lebanon, as stipulated in the ceasefire deal.
He added that “if this condition is not met, there will be no agreement and Israel will be forced to act on its own to ensure the safe return of residents of the north to their homes.”
“We will not allow the creation of a renewed threat to the northern communities and the citizens of the state of Israel,” Katz said in a statement issued by his office.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese army is to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws over a 60-day period.
Hezbollah is to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River — some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border — and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
A committee composed of Israeli, Lebanese, French and US delegates alongside a representative of UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL is tasked with ensuring any ceasefire violations are identified and dealt with.
