Israel army detonates homes, infrastructure in southern Lebanon before ceasefire deadline

Ahram Online , Thursday 23 Jan 2025

The Israeli army carried out a large-scale destruction of homes and infrastructure in southern Lebanon days before the deadline for its withdrawal from the country as part of the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024.

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A Lebanese soldier patrols along a residential area that was devastated by the war between Israel and Hezbollah, in the southern coastal town of Naqura, on the border with Israel. AFP

 

“The occupation army continued to burn and detonate houses in the town of Taybeh. It carried out a search operation during its movement in the town's neighbourhoods and a violent explosion in the town of Kfar Kila a short while ago,” Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported on Wednesday afternoon. 

Israel's forces also repositioned in the town of Hanin as Lebanese Civil Defence crews were working to clear rubble and remove bodies of citizens killed by Israeli strikes during the war. 

The body of a Lebanese citizen, Mohammad Termos, was found in a car in the town of Taloussa in the Marjayoun District.

Israeli forces gunned down Termos as he was trying to enter his village on Tuesday, NNA reported. 

At least eight homes were blown up in the town of Taybeh. The Israeli army also detonated houses in Aita Al-Shaab and the outskirts of Hanin.

NNA reported explosions in the town of Markaba and the outskirts of Houla.

Moreover, an Israeli drone fired two missiles towards the Bastra axis, east of the town of Majidiyeh.

Meanwhile, in coordination with the UN forces, the UNIFIL, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) completed their deployment across Arqoub. They reached Baathayel Pond, Kfar Hammam town, Rashaya Al-Fakhar, and the eastern part of Shebaa. 

In Kfar Shouba, the Armed Forces were met with cheers and ululations, NNA reported. 

A ceasefire and a thousand violations
 

Displaced residents of the south whose villages are still occupied by Israeli troops have vowed to return to their homes at the end of the ceasefire period regardless of whether or not the Israeli military withdraws, according to the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar.

Residents have informed the Lebanese army intelligence of their intentions to return and have organized transportation.

The Lebanese army has repeatedly warned southern Lebanese citizens not to return to areas where Israeli troops are still present. 

Lebanon's new president stressed that Israel must withdraw from the country's south by the 26 January deadline set to implement the terms of the ceasefire fully.

Former caretaker premier Najib Mikati said he was told by the head of the ceasefire committee, US Major General Jasper Jeffers, that the Israeli withdrawal might be delayed by several days. 

The deal, based on UN Resolution 1701, is meant to see the Lebanese army dismantle Hezbollah’s presence south of the Litani River and Israeli forces withdraw from the country.

This is supposed to occur within the 60-day period that began in late November and is set to end in five days.

Israel has violated the agreement more than 1,000 times since it took effect. 

Hezbollah has threatened to resume its rocket and drone firing if Israel does not withdraw on time.

“The enemy must commit to withdrawing completely from all Lebanese territories on Sunday, otherwise Monday will be another day,” Ghalib Abu Zeinab, a member of Hezbollah’s political council, said on 21 January.

Under ceathe deal, Israeli forces are supposed to complete their withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Sunday. 

On Monday, Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad said the resistance will confront Israeli forces “with all possible means and methods” if they do not withdraw. 

Manoeuvres to postpone
 

Israel's Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, said the two countries are in talks about the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as the deadline approaches. 

Israeli media have reported that Israel is seeking to postpone the completion of its pullout.

On Thursday, Herzog said in an interview with Israeli Army Radio that he believed Israel would “reach an understanding” with the Trump administration. However, he did not elaborate, according to AP.

Israeli media have reported that Israel reached an understanding with the Biden administration on staying longer but that President Donald Trump is urging it to withdraw on time.

There was no immediate comment from the United States.

Israeli officials have claimed that Lebanese troops are not deploying fast enough in the areas Israeli troops are supposed to vacate.

Under the ceasefire, the Lebanese army will patrol a buffer zone alongside United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

 

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