Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the country’s military will not meet the Sunday deadline to withdraw from southern Lebanon, deepening the uncertainty surrounding the fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Netanyahu’s office cited Lebanon’s failure to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, including the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River, as the primary reason for the delay.
In a statement, the office asserted that Israel would continue its phased withdrawal in full coordination with the United States while monitoring Lebanon’s compliance.
The Lebanese army, however, stated that they are ready to move into the area once Israel vacates it.
Israel’s ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, underscored the flexibility in the agreement, stating that additional time was necessary for the Lebanese army to take control of the region effectively.
Talks with the US administration to extend the timeline are ongoing, though no resolution has been confirmed.
The decision has drawn criticism from Lebanese officials and Hezbollah. The Lebanese army accused Israel of stalling, while Hezbollah warned that failing to meet the withdrawal deadline would jeopardise the ceasefire.
Hezbollah MP Ali Fayyad described January 26 as the “test day” for the agreement, adding that non-compliance would signify its collapse.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem accused Israel of repeated ceasefire violations, cautioning against testing the group’s patience.
The organisation, which suffered significant losses during the conflict, also faces strategic setbacks, including disrupted supply routes from Iran following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The delay comes as tensions heighten across the region. Israel is engaged in a large-scale military offensive in the West Bank and continues to maintain a presence past Syria’s buffer zone despite international calls for withdrawal.
The ceasefire, which ended months of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, required both sides to meet specific obligations within 60 days.
However, mutual accusations of violations have already threatened its stability.
