Israel’s ambassador to the United States said Thursday the two countries are in talks about extending the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as a deadline in the ceasefire approaches.
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Sheikh Muhammad Ali Hammadi, a senior Hezbollah official, was assassinated on Tuesday afternoon in the town of Machghara, located in Lebanon’s Western Bekaa region. The attack, which involved unidentified gunmen, has raised questions about the motive behind the killing.
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Lebanon elected General Joseph Aoun, the head of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), as president earlier this month, ending a more than two-year presidential vacuum.
Monday, January 20, 2025
Lebanon is going through a historic transformation – one marked by a shift in its domestic and regional status quo. The election of former army general Joseph Aoun as President and the appointment of jurist Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister usher in some long-awaited positive change to the country’s domestic balance of power and in its international relations.
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new long-term deal with the club that will keep him at the Etihad until 2034.
Friday, January 17, 2025
Naomi Osaka thought for a few moments after losing a lopsided first set Wednesday, and it gave her the perspective she needed to turn things around and reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2022.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Friday 24 January 2025 10:25:32
The Lebanese Army has been actively working to counter Israel's justifications for delaying the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon. Since the ceasefire came into effect on November 27, the army has undertaken around 500 missions to inspect potential Hezbollah sites, dismantle infrastructure, and seize weapons.
According to sources involved in the agreement's enforcement, Hezbollah has been "fully cooperating with the Lebanese government's decisions," as reported by Asharq Al-Awsat.
Since the ceasefire agreement was enacted, Israel has maintained fire control over 62 villages and towns south of the Litani River, warning residents against returning to their homes. While it has not established permanent military posts on Lebanese soil, Israeli forces have carried out incursions and demolitions in 38 villages, withdrawing entirely from 9 of them. In response, the Lebanese Army has rapidly deployed to the areas vacated by Israeli forces and is preparing to secure additional villages as withdrawals continue.
Meanwhile, Israel appears to be exploring the possibility of retaining control over three strategic border points. These include a hill in Khiyam, near the Israeli settlement of Metula; a location in Al-Labbouneh in the western sector near Naqoura and Alma Al-Shaab, opposite settlements in western Galilee; and Mount Blat in the central sector near Ramiyeh, facing the Israeli settlements of Zar’it and Shtula. Israeli sources claim the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL have yet to fully complete their missions in these areas, a claim Lebanese security officials strongly deny.
Security sources confirm the Lebanese Army has fully carried out its responsibilities, dismantling most of Hezbollah's military infrastructure south of the Litani River. Every site flagged by the international monitoring committee since the ceasefire has been inspected, in compliance with political directives.
Hezbollah, for its part, has not interfered with any army or UNIFIL operations, including inspections, weapons seizures, and the clearing of storage facilities. According to security sources, the army has been confiscating all weapons and ammunition found south of the Litani without consulting any other party. This aligns with strict political orders to implement UN Resolution 1701. Confiscated rockets and ammunition are systematically destroyed in three designated detonation fields by army engineering units conducting daily operations.
Working closely with UNIFIL, the Lebanese Army has conducted 500 missions to dismantle potential Hezbollah sites, including 100 weapons depots. These efforts were confirmed by the UN Secretary-General during his recent visit to the region. The army has also deployed forces to all areas vacated by Israeli troops, despite ongoing Israeli provocations.
Reports indicate that Israel has re-entered areas it previously withdrew from, dropped sound bombs using drones near Lebanese Army positions, and carried out explosions close to UNIFIL personnel. One such incident recently injured seven members of the Finnish peacekeeping contingent.
Israeli claims that targeted homes and structures are Hezbollah facilities have been firmly denied by Lebanese security sources, who accuse Israel of engaging in systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure. This strategy has devastated the region’s infrastructure, making it significantly more difficult for displaced residents to return to their homes.
Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect, the Lebanese Army has documented over 1,500 Israeli violations, including breaches by land, sea, and air, as well as demolitions, explosions, and road destruction within Lebanese territory.
Despite Israel's ongoing provocations and delays in implementing the ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL remain committed to maintaining stability in the region and enforcing international resolutions. However, the challenges posed by Israel’s actions continue to strain the fragile peace and complicate the path to long-term stability in southern Lebanon.
