As the January 27 deadline for the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon approaches, the Israeli Army is still proceeding with its military operations, raising concerns over the fragile ceasefire agreement.
On Thursday, Israeli forces reportedly detonated three houses in the town of Deir Mimas, near the al-Ezziyeh road in the Marjayoun caza. In a separate incident, a house in the eastern neighborhood of Qantara, within the same region, was allegedly set on fire by Israeli troops.
An Israeli force, bolstered by four tanks, a bulldozer, armored personnel carriers, and other military vehicles, entered the Ras al-Dahr neighborhood west of Mays al-Jabal. The troops conducted house-to-house searches, reportedly sabotaging the interiors of some homes. Gunfire was clearly audible during the intense combing operations within the neighborhood.
Simultaneously, the Israeli Army announced that its Seventh Brigade, operating under the command of the 91st Division, continues its activities in southern Lebanon. In a statement, the military said the operations aim to “protect Israel’s security,” emphasizing that they are being carried out “in accordance with the understandings between Israel and Lebanon while maintaining the terms of the ceasefire.”
Moreover, on Thursday, the Lebanese Army (LAF) announced plans to carry out controlled explosions of unexploded ordnance.
According to the statement, the operations will take place in Wadi Hamoul - Alma al-Shaab in the Tyre district, as well as in Ras Baalbeck, in the Beqaa between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
On Wednesday night, two UNIFIL soldiers sustained minor injuries from falling debris caused by Israeli detonations in the towns of Markaba and Rab al-Thalathin. Earlier on Wednesday, the Lebanese Army allowed a number of residents of al-Bayyadah, Chamaa and Alma al-Shaab to return to their homes.
On the other hand, a number of Naqoura residents, who had gathered at the Hamra-Bayada point south of Tyre, entered the city on Thursday to inspect their destroyed homes and properties, after obtaining permits from the Lebanese Army.
Meanwhile, reports from Israeli Army Radio suggest that the Trump administration is pushing for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon by next Sunday, as previously agreed, despite the Biden administration’s decision to consider a delay. The Israeli ambassador to Washington confirmed ongoing discussions with the Trump administration to extend the withdrawal date.
In the meantime in Beirut, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met with US General Jasper Jeffers, head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, on Thursday, to address the potential implications of Israel’s delay in withdrawing from the South.
It is worthy to recall that ambassadors from the “quintet” group had also convened on Wednesday to address the latest developments on the Lebanese political scene.
The five-member committee reaffirmed its unified stance on common priorities, including the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and ensuring Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
Comments