A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, established in November, has not resulted in a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon as initially planned. The original deadline for Israel’s military withdrawal was set for January 26, but that date has passed without action from Israel, which has now extended the deadline to February 18.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out sporadic airstrikes in Lebanon, claiming these operations are aimed at Hezbollah in response to alleged ceasefire violations. This has drawn widespread condemnation from Lebanese officials, who argue that these attacks undermine the ceasefire’s intent. The ongoing Israeli military presence has left thousands of residents unable to return to their homes in border villages, with reports of Israeli troops firing on individuals who approach the area.
The conflict, which reignited on October 8, began when Hezbollah launched strikes in solidarity with Hamas as Israel intensified its military actions in Gaza. Since then, Israel has reportedly killed around 4,000 people in Lebanon, exacerbating tensions in the region. While Hezbollah has ceased direct attacks against Israel since the ceasefire, it has not confirmed whether it has fully complied with the stipulations requiring its forces to relocate north of the Litani River.
Hezbollah’s Secretary General, Naim Qassem, has stated that the group is adhering to the ceasefire terms but did not specify the details of its troop movements. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has insisted that if Hezbollah does not comply with the agreement, Israel will have to take unilateral action to ensure the safety of residents in northern Israel.
The international community has reacted to the situation with concern. Lebanon has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations regarding Israel’s violations of the ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron has also urged Israel to fulfill its commitment to withdraw troops, but these calls have not led to any significant changes on the ground.
As the situation stands, the lack of accountability for ceasefire violations raises questions about the future of peace in the region. Hezbollah has indicated that it may be losing patience with continued Israeli aggression, yet it also appears cautious in its response, given its diminished military capabilities following recent conflicts and the loss of key leadership figures. The Lebanese army is expected to assume responsibility in southern Lebanon as part of the ceasefire agreement, but the effectiveness of this transition remains uncertain amidst ongoing tensions.