Bloomberg: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire to be extended beyond deadline

According to multiple officials familiar with ongoing talks cited by Bloomberg, the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which paused the intense conflict in southern Lebanon, is expected to be extended past its January 27 expiration date, Caliber.Az reports.

The truce, brokered by the US and France, came into effect in late November and halted a devastating war that caused widespread casualties and exacerbated tensions between Iran and Israel. The deal allowed Israeli troops 60 days to pull out from southern Lebanese villages, while Hezbollah was ordered to withdraw north of the Litani River, to be replaced by the Lebanese army.

While the truce has largely held, both parties have accused each other of violations. Israeli forces remain in some villages, and Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes against Hezbollah, citing ongoing threats from the group to regroup and rearm. Despite these skirmishes, both sides are actively negotiating the extension of the ceasefire to ensure that tensions do not reignite.

“We want the successful implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated, expressing support for the Lebanese army’s gradual deployment and the eventual handover of more territory. However, Saar also made it clear that Israel’s further withdrawal from southern Lebanon is contingent on Hezbollah’s departure from the region. “We will enforce when we see violations of the agreement, and we will stand on our security demand,” Saar emphasized.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Naim Qasem has called for the Lebanese government to address Israel's alleged breaches of the ceasefire, but Lebanese lawmakers, who recently elected Joseph Aoun as the country’s president, remain committed to maintaining the peace. Aoun, who is supported by the US and Saudi Arabia, represents a shift in Lebanon’s political landscape, signalling a decline in Hezbollah and Iran’s influence in the country.

The prolonged conflict has left deep scars on both economies. Israel’s financial markets rallied as the ceasefire approached, while Lebanon’s defaulted dollar bonds surged in the wake of the truce. Despite Hezbollah’s significant losses in the conflict, the group still holds substantial military power, and the situation remains fragile.

Aoun’s election as president may place additional pressure on Hezbollah, especially considering his recent remarks during his swearing-in ceremony, where he stated that only the Lebanese state should hold arms. His presidency could become a pivotal point in determining whether the fragile peace holds or if further tensions will emerge.

By Tamilla Hasanova