Amid a persistent economic crisis and rising security tensions, Lebanon's new leadership is facing significant challenges. International efforts continue however to support the country through this critical phase.
One of Lebanon's major challenges remains the situation in the south, where Israel continues to carry out sporadic military operations. These operations were discussed during two diplomatic meetings held on Tuesday.
Ambassadors from the Quintet—whose original mission was to help resolve the presidential deadlock—discussed with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the key issues affecting Lebanon's future. The Quintet includes the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar.
Following the meeting, Egypt's Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, stated that security concerns in southern Lebanon were central to the discussions. He emphasized the necessity of an Israeli withdrawal from the area and confirmed that the Quintet is actively seeking a solution that ensures full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, including a complete Israeli withdrawal from the border region. This aligns with Berri's position, who stressed that instability in southern Lebanon affects the entire country.
Pressuring Israel
Later, ahead of a meeting of the international ceasefire monitoring committee scheduled for the afternoon in Naqoura, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with the head of the committee, US General Jasper Jeffers, who oversees the implementation of the ceasefire agreement. US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, was also present.
President Aoun urged the committee to pressure Israel to withdraw from five strategic points where it maintains its forces and to release remaining Lebanese prisoners still held in Israeli custody. The issue of Lebanese prisoners will be on the agenda, along with Israel's ongoing violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Raids and Infiltrations
On Tuesday morning, an Israeli drone struck a vehicle on the road connecting Houmine el-Faouka to Wadi Deir al-Zahrani in the Nabatiyeh region. At least one person, a senior Hezbollah official, was killed in the attack.
On Monday evening, an Israeli unit infiltrated Lebanese territory, entering the village of Marwahin from the town of Blat before reaching a public school in Ramya, where a local charity had installed prefabricated houses to support farmers. According to the Lebanese daily An-Nahar, Israeli soldiers fired machine guns to deter any presence at the site.
These diplomatic efforts surrounding the situation in southern Lebanon come as the United Nations Special Coordinator, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, prepares to present her periodic report on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The report will cover the period from October 21, 2024, to February 20, 2025.
On Sunday, she visited Israel for meetings with senior officials as part of a mission to "strengthen security and stability along the Blue Line." Her report on the situation in southern Lebanon is set to be presented to the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
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