Israel warned the ceasefire with Hezbollah might collapse. It accused the group of failing to withdraw beyond the Litani River in southern Lebanon. The withdrawal is a key condition of the truce, which began on November 27.
The agreement requires Hezbollah fighters to retreat 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border. Israeli forces must also leave Lebanese territory. By January 26, only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers should remain south of the Litani River.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz demanded Hezbollah comply. “If Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani River, there will be no agreement,” Katz stated. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to the deal but insisted Hezbollah disarm and dismantle its infrastructure.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem responded with defiance. He stated the group would decide whether to honor the truce. “Our patience regarding Israeli violations might run out or persist,” Qassem said.
Both sides have reported multiple violations. UN peacekeepers also said Israel breached the truce about 100 times in the first week. On Saturday, UNIFIL accused Israeli forces of destroying Lebanese Armed Forces infrastructure and UN property near the border. It called these actions a “flagrant violation” of international law.
The ceasefire remains fragile. Accusations and retaliatory strikes continue. Tensions are rising, threatening the truce and regional stability. (CNN)
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