Hezbollah has issued a strong warning saying that any lapses in the US-mediated ceasefire agreement will have grave consequences as the January 26 deadline for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon draws nearer.
The deal made two months ago required Israel to withdraw its troops from Southern Lebanon within sixty days after occupation of land there for years. On the other hand, Hezbollah must relocate its fighters north of the Litani River, while the Lebanese national army must enhance its presence in the vacated southern territories.
On Sunday, Ali Fayyad, a senior member of Hezbollah and a parliament member of Lebanon, issued a sharply phrased statement underscoring the group’s expectation from Israel regarding the withdrawal by the date.
“We in Hezbollah are waiting for the date of January 26, the day on which the ceasefire requires a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory,” Fayyad said. “If the Israeli enemy does not comply with this, it will mean the collapse of the [ceasefire deal].”
Fayyad’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Hezbollah’s leadership over what they perceive as continued Israeli provocations in southern Lebanon. According to reports Israel launched several attacks after the ceasefire agreement started which resulted in destruction across border villages.
The once-promising ceasefire has weakened as tensions rise between sides in recent weeks. Southern Lebanon observers state Israeli military units remain active in the area and launch bombing runs that evacuate hundreds of families from their homes.
Experts believe Israel’s recent military movements might trigger another confrontation with Hezbollah because the group maintains its reputation as Lebanon’s shield against Israeli military activity. Hezbollah’s recent alert matches major political and economic difficulties Lebanon faces from widespread protests to rising inflation and ongoing energy crisis.
Israel hasn’t provided public confirmation about the January 26 deadline although senior officials expressed reservations about the ceasefire terms previously. Hezbollah’s battle plans and Israel’s border safety demands stand as major barriers to ending negotiations.
International attention remains high regarding this conflict because the United States helped establish terms of the ceasefire agreement. Washington consistently states that applying the agreement rules is crucial to stopping bloodshed across this dangerous border area.
But both Hezbollah and other factions in Lebanon have expressed deep skepticism about US intentions, accusing Washington of putting Israeli interests over those of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
In the meantime, the Lebanese army, which is supposed to fill the security vacuum in the south, has been slow to mobilize amidst limited resources and internal issues. Critics say the army’s deployment is overdue, and any delays could leave southern Lebanon at risk of renewed clashes.
As the withdrawal deadline looms mere days away, the future of southern Lebanon hangs in the balance. Hezbollah’s warning has also loomed over the fragile ceasefire, fueling concerns that any miscalculation could jeopardize negotiations and plunge Lebanon back into hostilities.
Whether Israel will satisfy the January 26 deadline is unclear. What is certain, though, is that the next several days will be crucial in deciding whether the region edges toward stability or descends into violence again.
