Hezbollah demands full Israeli withdrawal as ceasefire deadline nears

Lebanese group Hezbollah has called on Israeli forces to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon, as stipulated by a ceasefire agreement brokered in November. 

The deal, mediated by France and the United States, aimed to end over a year of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, with both parties required to pull out from contested areas by January 26, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The Israeli government has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the agreement’s implementation. David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesperson, stated, “There have been positive movements where the Lebanese army and UNIFIL have taken the place of Hezbollah forces, as stipulated in the agreement. However, these movements have not been fast enough, and there is much more work to do.”

Mencer refrained from confirming whether Israel has requested an extension of the withdrawal deadline, adding, “We want this agreement to continue.”

Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr revealed that Israeli officials are engaging with the administration of US President Donald Trump to extend the deadline. “Israeli officials are talking about staying in Lebanon, which would be in violation of the ceasefire agreement to pull out by January 26,” she said.

Hezbollah has warned that any delay in the withdrawal would be regarded as a breach of the agreement. “We need a total withdrawal of the Israeli army,” Hezbollah said in a statement on Thursday.

Ali Fayyad, a Hezbollah lawmaker, issued a stark warning: “If Israel fails to withdraw, this will put all Lebanese people in a new phase of confronting the Israeli occupation through all possible means and tools to force it from our land.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking earlier this month alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, echoed Hezbollah’s demand. “We need a total withdrawal of the Israeli army,” Macron insisted.

Lebanese officials have expressed concerns that delays could undermine efforts to stabilise the region. “Israel’s failure to withdraw on time could complicate the Lebanese army’s deployment,” a senior government source said. “This would be a blow to diplomatic efforts and the optimistic atmosphere in Lebanon since President Aoun’s election.”

Hezbollah has hinted at the possibility of resuming military action if Israeli forces remain past the deadline. “Israeli soldiers will be seen as an occupying force, and there will be resistance,” the group stated.

However, the group’s military capabilities remain uncertain following significant losses during the conflict with Israel. “Whether those threats are serious – considering that Hezbollah has been severely weakened during Israel’s war – is open to question,” Khodr noted.

By Aghakazim Guliyev