Hezbollah Demands Complete Israeli Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon as Deadline Nears

Department of Research, Studies and International News 24-01-2025

The Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah has issued a firm demand that Israeli forces fully withdraw from southern Lebanon in accordance with the timeline specified in a ceasefire agreement brokered by France and the United States. The agreement, which was reached in November, marked the cessation of over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned faction.

The ceasefire deal outlined a phased process in which both Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters were to vacate southern Lebanon within a 60-day timeframe. This deadline, set to expire on Monday, also stipulated the replacement of Hezbollah forces with personnel from the Lebanese army and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Israeli officials have expressed frustration over what they perceive as delays in the implementation of the agreement. Speaking to reporters, Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer acknowledged that progress had been made, particularly with the deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL troops in areas previously held by Hezbollah. However, he emphasized that the pace of these movements has been inadequate.

“There have been positive developments with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL assuming control in line with the agreement. However, these movements have not been fast enough. More effort is needed to ensure full implementation,” Mencer stated on Thursday.

While Mencer refrained from confirming whether Israel had requested an extension to the ceasefire’s terms, he did not rule out the possibility of Israeli forces remaining in southern Lebanon beyond the agreed-upon deadline.

Zeina Khodr, reporting from Beirut, highlighted that Israeli officials have been lobbying the United States to grant an extension to the withdrawal deadline. According to Khodr, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. has been engaged in discussions with the administration of then-President Donald Trump, seeking an additional month to complete the withdrawal process.

“Israeli officials are suggesting that their forces might remain in Lebanon past the January 26 deadline, a move that would directly contravene the ceasefire agreement,” Khodr reported.

She further noted that Hezbollah has issued warnings of military retaliation should Israeli forces fail to comply with the agreed timeline. “Hezbollah is signaling its readiness to resume resistance operations, stating that any Israeli presence beyond the deadline would constitute an occupation,” she said, though she added that the group’s capacity for renewed military action remains uncertain following significant setbacks during the conflict.

On Thursday, Hezbollah reiterated its demand for Israel’s complete withdrawal, warning that any deviation from the ceasefire agreement would not be tolerated. A prominent Hezbollah lawmaker, Ali Fayyad, underscored the group’s readiness to escalate if necessary. “Should Israel fail to withdraw on time, the Lebanese people will enter a new phase of resistance using all available means to end the occupation,” he declared on January 20.

French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on the matter earlier this month, standing alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun during a visit to Beirut. Macron stressed the importance of Israel adhering to the withdrawal deadline, calling for a “total and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces.”

Meanwhile, the Lebanese government has voiced its concerns to U.S. mediators, warning that any delay in Israel’s withdrawal could disrupt the deployment of the Lebanese army and hinder broader diplomatic efforts. Such a setback, officials argue, would dampen the optimism that followed President Aoun’s recent election and jeopardize stability in the region.

As the deadline approaches, tensions remain high. While Israeli officials push for an extension and Hezbollah signals its readiness to resist, the future of the ceasefire agreement and broader peace efforts in the region hangs in the balance. The coming days will determine whether diplomatic efforts can prevent a resurgence of conflict or if the region will see a return to hostilities.