France has issued warnings to both Israel and Hezbollah regarding actions it believes jeopardize the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon. According to a Ynet report, the warning comes after Paris has accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire multiple times.
The report states that French diplomatic sources have claimed that Israel violated the ceasefire 52 times within a 24-hour period, including uncoordinated strikes on Hezbollah targets and resumed drone flights over Beirut at low altitudes. These violations reportedly resulted in the deaths of three Lebanese civilians.
France has specifically accused Israel of failing to follow proper procedures for reporting military actions under the ceasefire agreement’s surveillance mechanism.
According to the same report, French officials have also acknowledged Hezbollah’s attempts to reposition weapons in southern Lebanon, further complicating the situation.
The ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, which took effect last Wednesday, requires Hezbollah to pull its forces north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, while Israel will withdraw its troops from the region. In their place, the Lebanese army will deploy alongside the existing United Nations observer force.
The agreement entails a 60-day withdrawal period, with a U.S.-led monitoring team that includes participation from France and the U.K. Lebanon has committed to overseeing the production and import of arms to prevent Hezbollah from acquiring additional weapons. A U.S. “side letter” ensures that Israel retains the right to take action against any imminent threats from Lebanon, if required.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed strikes on Hezbollah operatives and equipment over the weekend, targeting a military vehicle near a Hezbollah missile production site and armed personnel transporting RPGs and ammunition in southern Lebanon. Israeli diplomatic sources defended their actions, emphasizing their right to respond to violations with significant force.
An Israeli official said that the ceasefire’s implementation mechanism would “pick up pace” early in the week to ensure better coordination and reduce misunderstandings.
Lebanese leaders, including Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun and interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated their commitment to enforcing the ceasefire and preventing Hezbollah from re-establishing its presence in the region.
“The Lebanese are fully committed to maintaining the ceasefire and preventing Hezbollah from moving south again, but they need time to prove themselves,” said a high-ranking French diplomat.
