Hezbollah issues cautionary statement regarding ‘israel’s’ attempts to extend its occupation of Lebanese territories
The Hezbollah resistance movement has stated that any potential delay by Israel in withdrawing its military forces from southern Lebanon would be considered a violation of Lebanon's sovereignty.
Hezbollah released a statement on Thursday cautioning against an extension of U.S. military presence in Lebanon. This announcement came in response to reports by Israeli media suggesting that the Israeli government had requested the United States to prolong its troop deployment in the country for an extra 30 days, surpassing the 60-day period outlined in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has issued a statement warning that any failure to adhere to the 60-day deadline would be regarded as a flagrant violation of the agreement and an ongoing assault on Lebanese sovereignty.
“These actions would signal the onset of a new stage of occupation, necessitating the state to employ all available means and methods sanctioned by international conventions to regain control of the territory.”
Hezbollah has initiated support actions for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s military operations in the region, which began on October 7, 2023. In response, Hezbollah has conducted multiple attacks aimed at targets located in the occupied territories.
On November 27, 2024, Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah, following significant battlefield losses and an inability to fulfill its objectives, despite the conflict resulting in more than 4,000 fatalities in Lebanon.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel has been allotted a 60-day timeframe, concluding on January 26, to withdraw its military forces from the occupied towns and transfer control to the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeeping forces.
In its statement, Hezbollah called on the Lebanese government to exert pressure on the parties responsible for overseeing the ceasefire agreement, in order to guarantee that the 60-day timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces is adhered to.
The statement emphasized the necessity of vigilant oversight during the concluding stages of the withdrawal, the comprehensive deployment of the Lebanese military, and the prompt repatriation of displaced individuals.
In a recent statement, the resistance group declared that any violations of the agreement would be deemed unacceptable. They emphasized that attempts to circumvent these responsibilities using weak excuses would not be tolerated. The group urged for strict compliance with the agreement, without any concessions.
Israel’s Channel 13 has recently reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appealed to the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, seeking permission for Israel to maintain control over five military outposts in Lebanon beyond the established withdrawal deadline.
Israel Army Radio has reported that the Trump administration anticipates Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire agreement, urging the nation to finalize its withdrawal by Sunday.
Michael Herzog, Israel’s departing ambassador to the United States, expressed confidence that Tel Aviv and Washington would come to a mutual agreement on the issue, resulting in the approval of the extension.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated as Israel has reportedly breached the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, conducting multiple military operations in Lebanon.
