Hezbollah warns of 'resistance' if Israel stays beyond ceasefire deadline

Hezbollah demands Israel fully comply with the ceasefire agreement, warning that any violation won't be tolerated.

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Hezbollah has demanded the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, insisting that the terms of a ceasefire agreement, which is set to expire on January 26, be fully implemented. This comes as Israeli officials acknowledge that progress on the deal has been slower than anticipated.

The ceasefire, brokered by France and the United States in November 2024, was intended to bring an end to more than a year of fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

Under the terms of the agreement, both sides were required to withdraw their forces from southern Lebanon over a 60-day period, which is set to conclude on Monday.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer reported positive steps in the agreement’s implementation, noting that Lebanese forces and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had replaced Hezbollah forces in the area.

However, he added that the pace of these movements has not been quick enough, indicating that more work is needed to complete the withdrawal.

While Mencer stopped short of confirming whether Israel had requested an extension to the deadline, there were reports that Israel’s ambassador to the United States had discussed with the US administration the possibility of pushing back the deadline by at least a month.

This has sparked tensions, as Hezbollah has warned that any Israeli presence in southern Lebanon beyond the agreed-upon date would be considered an occupation, leading to potential military action.

In response to these developments, Hezbollah reaffirmed its stance that Israel must fully comply with the ceasefire agreement. The group issued a statement emphasizing that any violation of the terms would not be tolerated.

Ali Fayyad, a Hezbollah lawmaker, warned that failure to withdraw by the deadline would lead to a new phase of confrontation with Israeli forces, and he underscored that Lebanon would resort to all means necessary to reclaim its territory.

The Lebanese government has also raised concerns about the impact of an Israeli delay on the ongoing deployment of the Lebanese army in the south.

Lebanese officials expressed worry that any failure to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire would undermine the diplomatic progress made since the election of President Joseph Aoun earlier this month, further complicating efforts to stabilize the region.

French President Emmanuel Macron, in a visit to Beirut earlier this month, voiced support for Lebanon's position, calling for a total Israeli withdrawal in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

Lebanese President Aoun echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of honoring the agreed timeline to preserve peace and stability in the country.

As the deadline approaches, tensions remain high, with both sides closely watching for any indication that the ceasefire could unravel.

While Hezbollah has signaled its readiness to resume military actions if necessary, questions remain about the group’s ability to sustain its resistance, given its recent weakening during the conflict.

The international community will be closely monitoring the situation in the coming days, with many hoping that both sides will adhere to the terms of the ceasefire and avoid further escalation.