By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Israel has warned it would “be forced to act” if the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah continues to breach ceasefire conditions, Defence Minister Israel Katz stated on Sunday after visiting the military’s northern command.
The statement follows a similar accusation against Israel by Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Saturday.
Katz claimed Hezbollah had not yet withdrawn “beyond the Litani River” in southern Lebanon, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
He further warned, “If this condition is not met, there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act on its own to ensure the safe return of residents of the north to their homes.”
Katz also highlighted other unfulfilled provisions of the agreement, including the “dismantling of all [Hezbollah] weapons and the thwarting of terrorist infrastructures in the area by the Lebanese army.”
“We will not allow the creation of a renewed threat to the northern communities and the citizens of the state of Israel,” Katz said in a statement issued by his office.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Saturday accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement and asserted the group’s readiness to respond, even before the expiration of a 60-day deadline for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
“We have said that we are giving an opportunity to prevent Israeli violations and to implement the agreement, and we will exercise patience,” Qassem said.
The fragile peace agreement, effective since 27 November, followed two months of full-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah. However, it has been marred by mutual accusations of violations.
Under the ceasefire terms, the Lebanese army is expected to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army completes its withdrawal within a 60-day timeframe.
A committee comprising Israeli, Lebanese, French, and US delegates, along with a UNIFIL representative, is responsible for identifying and addressing any ceasefire violations.
The UN peacekeeping force has repeatedly accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire conditions.
