5th January 2025 – (Jerusalem) Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a grave warning to Hezbollah on Sunday, asserting that if the militant group fails to withdraw all its forces north of the Litani River, Israel will terminate the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire terms require Hezbollah to relocate its fighters and weaponry north of the Litani River by January 26. By the same deadline, Israel must fully withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line, the United Nations-designated border between Lebanon and Israel, while the Lebanese army is expected to deploy in the area.
During a visit to Israel’s Northern Command, Katz reiterated Israel’s commitment to upholding the agreement, stating, “Israel seeks to uphold the agreement in Lebanon.” However, he expressed concerns that Hezbollah had not yet completed the withdrawal of its forces. “If this condition is not met—there will be no agreement,” he warned.
The ceasefire, which concluded months of cross-border hostilities that erupted in October 2023, has not been without complications. Israel has continued limited operations, asserting that they are aimed at Hezbollah militants who violate the truce. Lebanon, alongside France, has accused Israel of multiple ceasefire violations, further underscoring the precarious nature of the agreement.
