Netanyahu vows to enforce ceasefire, rejects Hezbollah's violations

Israel remains committed to the ceasefire in Lebanon but warns of decisive action against any violations by Hezbollah. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined this stance during a government retreat in Nagariya, as tensions simmer on the Lebanese border, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“We are committed to the ceasefire, but we will not tolerate ceasefire violations from the other side,” Netanyahu stated. 

Emphasizing that the current situation is not a permanent resolution, he clarified, “We are now in a state of ceasefire, not the end of war.” Netanyahu also stressed Israel’s priority to “return the people of the north to their homes in safety.”

Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of a “serious violation” on December 2, prompting Israeli retaliation with strikes on 20 sites in Lebanon. In response, Hezbollah claimed a “warning strike in self-defence” against Israeli positions, alleging that Israel had breached the ceasefire agreement through airstrikes and shelling.

The Israeli military reported that two rockets were fired from Lebanese territory, causing no casualties. In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted military vehicles near Hezbollah infrastructure in the Bekaa Valley and along the Syria-Lebanon border. The IDF acknowledged injuring a Lebanese soldier in one incident and stated the circumstances were under investigation.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz delivered a stark warning, stating that if the ceasefire collapses, Israel would no longer differentiate between Lebanon and Hezbollah. “The Lebanese government should authorize its army to fulfill its role, keep Hezbollah out of Litani, and dismantle all its infrastructure,” Katz stated. He added, “If the ceasefire collapses, there will be no exceptions for the state of Lebanon. We will act decisively, with maximum efficiency and zero tolerance.”

Hezbollah continues to accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire, framing its strikes as defensive. Meanwhile, Lebanese authorities have reported civilian casualties due to Israeli shelling, with at least two deaths confirmed.

Lebanese officials also accused Israel of targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure. On November 30, the IDF conducted a “reconnaissance strike” on border crossings allegedly used to smuggle weapons from Syria to Lebanon.

The ceasefire, brokered on November 27, requires the IDF to withdraw from Lebanese territory within 60 days. The agreement, overseen by the US and France, aims to ensure compliance and de-escalation in the region.

The current hostilities are part of a larger conflict that escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel. Over 1,200 Israelis were killed, and more than 250 hostages were taken to Gaza. Israel declared war on Hamas, leading to airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza that, according to Hamas-run health authorities, has resulted in over 43,000 Palestinian casualties.

Hezbollah has supported Hamas by shelling northern Israel, leading to Israeli operations in southern Lebanon. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused Hezbollah of smuggling weapons south of the Litani River, violating the ceasefire.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Netanyahu and Katz have expressed scepticism over Lebanon’s ability to control Hezbollah. The US and France are working to stabilize the ceasefire, but tensions remain high as both sides trade accusations of violations.

By Tamilla Hasanova