Synopsis
Israel has announced it will continue its military presence in southern Lebanon beyond the ceasefire agreement's deadline due to Hezbollah's incomplete withdrawal. The situation reflects shifting political dynamics and ongoing regional cooperation efforts amid Lebanon's crisis.Key Takeaways
- Israel will not withdraw its forces by the Sunday deadline.
- The Lebanese military has not established full control over the area.
- The withdrawal is contingent on Hezbollah's retreat beyond the Litani River.
- Kuwait and the GCC are supporting Lebanon amid its ongoing crisis.
- Regional cooperation is crucial for Lebanon's recovery.
Jerusalem, Jan 24 (NationPress) Israel will retain its military presence in southern Lebanon past the deadline of Sunday set in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Friday.
The agreement, which was formalized on November 27, 2024, required a complete Israeli exit from Lebanon within a period of 60 days, culminating this Sunday.
Nevertheless, Netanyahu's office declared that Israel will not adhere to this timeline, claiming that the Lebanese military has not yet taken full control of the area and that Hezbollah has not completely retreated north of the Litani River.
"Due to the Lebanese state’s incomplete enforcement of the ceasefire agreement, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces will proceed," the statement noted, suggesting a phased exit rather than a total withdrawal by the deadline.
The Israel Defense Forces' pullout is "dependent on the deployment of the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon and its effective enforcement of the agreement, which includes Hezbollah's exit beyond the Litani River," the announcement elaborated.
This decision has been coordinated with the United States, the statement revealed, according to reports from the Xinhua news agency.
A year marked by intensifying cross-border conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, triggered by Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7 and Israel's retaliatory measures in Gaza, led to an Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon in October 2024.
In the meantime, the Foreign Minister of Kuwait and the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visited Lebanon on Friday, expressing their solidarity and support as the war-affected country strives to rebuild connections with Gulf nations and deal with an economic crisis.
Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Kuwait's Foreign Minister, met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at Baabda Palace in Beirut, where he reiterated Kuwait's commitment to assist Lebanon across various sectors, as stated by the Lebanese presidency.
Al-Yahya highlighted the need for solidarity and called for the revival of joint committees to tackle the growing challenges in Lebanon.
Accompanying Al-Yahya was Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, the Secretary-General of the GCC, who noted that the visit came after an extraordinary GCC session focused on the crises in Lebanon and Syria.
Albudaiwi emphasized the bloc's steadfast support for Lebanon's sovereignty and the urgent necessity for regional and international cooperation.
He also presented a Gulf-backed development initiative aimed at facilitating Lebanon's economic recovery, conditional on the implementation of essential reforms.
Aoun expressed appreciation for the support from Kuwait and the GCC, underscoring the significance of Arab unity in overcoming the country’s challenges, while reiterating Lebanon's commitment to reinforcing ties with its Gulf counterparts.
The visit from Al-Yahya and Albudaiwi followed a historic visit on Thursday by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, marking the first such visit in 15 years.
These developments are largely interpreted as indications of Hezbollah's declining influence in Lebanon, signaling a possible change in the nation's political landscape.
