Israel has issued a serious warning regarding the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been in place since late November 2024. The truce, which was intended to stop hostilities for at least 60 days, is now under threat. Israel claims that the agreement could collapse if Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group, does not fully withdraw its fighters beyond the Litani River, a key condition of the deal.
This announcement from Israel’s Defense Minister is creating concern, as the truce has already been strained by ongoing accusations of violations from both sides. Even though the ceasefire has held up for the most part, both Israel and Hezbollah have repeatedly pointed fingers at each other for breaking the rules.
What Does the Ceasefire Agreement Say?
The ceasefire agreement, which went into effect on November 27, 2024, was designed to stop the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah for 60 days. The deal stated that Hezbollah fighters should pull back at least 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Israel-Lebanon border. In return, Israeli ground forces were to withdraw from parts of Lebanese territory.
One of the major stipulations of the ceasefire is that by January 26, 2025, the only armed groups that should remain south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon are the Lebanese military and United Nations peacekeeping forces. This was supposed to bring peace to the area, but tensions are rising over Hezbollah’s failure to meet the deadline.
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Israel has been pushing for Hezbollah to completely withdraw its fighters from the region and dismantle any weapons or military infrastructure. According to Israel, the withdrawal has not yet happened, which is causing the country to question whether the ceasefire can continue.
Israel’s Warning and Hezbollah’s Response
Israel’s Defense Minister warned that the ceasefire agreement would fall apart if Hezbollah does not move its fighters away from the Litani River as agreed. He emphasized that the complete withdrawal of Hezbollah is the most important condition for the agreement to be effective. Without this, Israel has made it clear that the truce may not be able to hold.
The Israeli government is determined to enforce the terms of the ceasefire to ensure that northern Israel remains safe and that residents can return to their homes without fear of attacks. However, Israel’s push for Hezbollah to withdraw has not been met without resistance. Hezbollah’s leader responded to the situation by saying that the group has the power to decide whether or not it will continue to follow the 60-day period. He mentioned that the group’s patience might run out, but it is still unclear how or when the group might act.
Despite the ongoing ceasefire, there have been several incidents where the two sides have exchanged fire. Israel has carried out operations in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has responded by firing at Israeli-occupied areas. These tit-for-tat attacks have raised concerns about the stability of the truce.
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Violations and International Concerns
The ceasefire has already been strained by reports of violations from both sides. The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, has reported multiple violations of the ceasefire by Israel. According to the UN, Israel has breached the agreement “approximately 100” times.
In one recent incident, UNIFIL reported that an Israeli bulldozer had destroyed a barrel marking the withdrawal line between Lebanon and Israel. The bulldozer also damaged an observation tower belonging to the Lebanese Armed Forces. UNIFIL called this action a “flagrant violation” of international law and the 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called for an end to hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.
This incident highlights the challenges that peacekeepers and international organizations face in maintaining the truce. The violations by both Israel and Hezbollah have created an atmosphere of distrust and have raised concerns about the long-term stability of the ceasefire.
As both sides continue to accuse each other of breaking the terms of the ceasefire, the situation in southern Lebanon remains tense. Israel’s demand for Hezbollah to pull back and remove its military presence from the region is a critical issue that could determine whether the truce survives or falls apart.
