Israel has issued a stark warning that the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, brokered in November, may collapse if the Iran-backed group does not fully withdraw its forces beyond the Litani River in southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire, signed on November 27, required Hezbollah to retreat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border. In turn, Israeli ground forces were to withdraw from Lebanese territory.
The agreement states that by January 26, only the Lebanese military and U.N. peacekeeping forces would be allowed to remain south of the Litani River. However, reports indicate that Hezbollah has yet to fully comply with these terms.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Hezbollah’s withdrawal is critical for maintaining the truce. “If Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani River, there will be no agreement — and Israel will act on its own to ensure the safe return of northern residents to their homes,” Katz said during a visit to northern Israel on January 5.
Both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of undermining the ceasefire agreement.
Israel has conducted multiple operations in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has fired at Israeli-occupied territory, citing alleged Israeli violations.
The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon reported that Israel had breached the ceasefire approximately 100 times in its first week, including destroying United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and Lebanese Armed Forces infrastructure near the border.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said that the group’s decision to abide by the ceasefire terms rests solely with them. “Our patience [with Israeli violations] might run out… and when we decide to act, you will see it immediately,” Qassem said in a speech on January 4.
