Peacekeepers from the United Nations and Lebanon’s prime minister have urged the Israeli army to expedite its withdrawal from Lebanon as a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah approaches a month.
The UNIFIL force stated, “There is a strong urge for the IDF’s (Israeli military) withdrawal and the LAF’s (Lebanese army) deployment in southern Lebanon to progress at an accelerated pace.”
It called upon “all parties to halt and avoid violations of (Security Council) resolution 1701 and any actions that might endanger the current fragile stability.”
This plea followed comments from Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who insisted that the United States and France should apply pressure on Israel to hasten its withdrawal.
Rubble from a building in the southern suburb of Burj al-Barajneh, Beirut, which was damaged during Israeli bombardment.
According to the truce agreement, the Lebanese army and peacekeepers are set to deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws over a span of 60 days.
“For the army to fulfill its missions completely, the committee must… pressure the Israeli enemy to cease all violations” of the ceasefire, Mr. Mikati remarked during a visit to Khiam in the southern region.
“It is crucial to motivate the parties involved in the ceasefire agreement, specifically the French and Americans, to speed up the process prior to the conclusion of the 60-day period,” he continued, accusing Israel of “delaying”.
On 11 December, the Lebanese army announced its deployment around Khiam, located five kilometers from the border, in coordination with UNIFIL, following the exit of Israeli forces from the area.
Allegations of Violations
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that “the Israeli enemy persists in its invasion and assaults on southern Lebanese territories,” where it has “hoisted the Israeli flag” on a hill between the towns of Bayada and Naqura.
The NNA regularly documents instances of Israel demolishing homes in border villages.
In response, the Israeli army stated that it continues its “defensive operations” in the south “per the agreement,” claiming it has “confiscated and dismantled various arms and military supplies from a warehouse.”
The ceasefire in southern Lebanon commenced on 27 November following over a year of cross-border conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, triggered by the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
The exchanges eventually escalated into full-scale warfare and the deployment of Israeli forces into southern Lebanon.
Since the ceasefire took effect, both sides have accused one another of persistent violations.
For further details on the conflict in the Middle East, read more.
Mr. Mikati expressed his desire to address any uncertainties regarding the Blue Line—the UN-defined boundary between Lebanon and Israel—”to eliminate any justification for Israeli occupation of our land.”
Additionally, he mentioned efforts to collaborate with “the World Bank, the European Union, Arab nations, and our global partners to establish a trust fund” for reconstruction initiatives.
As of October, the World Bank estimated that the fighting had caused physical damage in Lebanon amounting to “at least $3.4 billion.”
