News / Palestine / Lebanon

Israel preparing to stay in southern Lebanon after ceasefire: Report

Thursday, 26 December 2024 11:14 AM [ Last Update: Thursday, 26 December 2024 11:14 AM ]

Lebanese soldiers stand next to damaged buildings in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam on December 23, 2024, after the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area under a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah. (Photo by AFP)

A new report has revealed that the Israeli military is preparing to possibly keep its forces in southern Lebanon, after the end of a 60-day fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which went into effect last month.

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Thursday that Israeli troops would stay in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese army fails to achieve full control of the area.

In that case, the Israeli military would remain in the territory until the Lebanese army took over, it added.

A 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on November 27, in the hope of reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities.

However, at least 300 Israeli violations have been reported since the ceasefire agreement took effect, including on Wednesday when the regime’s warplanes hit targets in the Baalbek region in the east of the country.

Relentless Israeli ceasefire violations justify need for self-defense: Lebanese MP

The relentless Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement demonstrate the failure of international resolutions to preserve Lebanese sovereignty and justify the need for self-defense, says a Lebanese MP.

Israel was forced to accept the ceasefire after suffering heavy losses following more than 14 months of cross-border fighting and failing to achieve its goals in its aggression on Lebanon.

A committee made up of France, the United States, Lebanon, and United Nations peacekeepers is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and ensuring violations are identified and dealt with.

Beirut has urged the parties -- particularly the US and France -- to press Israel to speed up its withdrawal from the country's south under the terms of the deal.

The truce demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s aggression on Lebanese soil and gave the regime’s forces 60 days to withdraw from south Lebanon.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk