Israel's defense minister says Hezbollah did not withdraw beyond Litani River in southern Lebanon
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened on Sunday to abolish a cease-fire agreement with Lebanon if Hezbollah does not withdraw from southern Lebanon.
“If Hezbollah does not withdraw beyond the Litani River, there will be no agreement,” Katz said during a visit to an army base in northern Israel.
Katz said the cease-fire deal stipulates the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces from southern Lebanon and the dismantling of its weapons.
“If this condition is not met, there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act independently to ensure the safe return of the residents of the north to their homes,” he added.
The Israeli public broadcaster KAN, citing unnamed sources, said early Sunday that Tel Aviv was preparing to remain in Lebanon far beyond the 60-day period stipulated in the cease-fire agreement.
The sources claimed that Hezbollah had not adhered to its part of the agreement and had not fully withdrawn its forces behind the Litani River.
The cease-fire agreement took effect on Nov. 27 in the hope of ending over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
Lebanese authorities, however, have reported over 380 Israeli violations, including the death of 32 people and injury of 39 others, since late November.
Under the cease-fire terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.
Data from the Lebanese Health Ministry indicates that since Israel's onslaught against Lebanon began on Oct. 8, 2023, at least 4,063 victims have been killed, including women, children, and health workers, while 16,664 others have been injured.
