After most of the designated ceasefire period with Hezbollah has passed, the IDF has gradually withdrawn from villages it had occupied in southern Lebanon. According to the agreement, the Lebanese Army was to replace the IDF during its withdrawal, which has occurred in the two main Lebanese villages from which the IDF recently withdrew: Al-Khiam, north of Metula, and Nakoura, located on the coast.
However, the IDF expresses frustration that the Lebanese Army is not deploying in southern Lebanon as swiftly as necessary and is not acting as expected under the terms of the agreement. It was reported today (Tuesday) by N12 that Israel conveyed messages to the Lebanese government through American mediator Amos Hochstein, stating that the slow deployment could lead to an extended presence of the IDF in Lebanon beyond the agreed 60 days of the ceasefire.
The Future of the Ceasefire Agreement
It is important to note that the ceasefire agreement was signed on November 27, in which Israel and Hezbollah agreed to cease hostilities for 60 days, hoping to eventually establish a permanent arrangement to separate the terrorist organization from Israel. Now, 40 days into the ceasefire, the likelihood of a signed extension is unclear—especially given repeated violations by Hezbollah, primarily in the form of preparations for rocket fire toward Israel, necessitating air strikes to remove immediate threats.
Some believe that the recent actions of the Lebanese Army, asserting its presence in areas it has not occupied for many years, indicate a certain willingness on the part of the Lebanese government to uphold the agreement and exert force and pressure on Hezbollah to prevent further friction with Israel. Conversely, there are those who argue that statements from Hezbollah itself, claiming it intends to continue the conflict with Israel, suggest that the ceasefire is merely a pause between confrontations—and that hostilities will resume along the northern border sooner or later. In any case, the IDF’s operations in recent months indicate that even in such a scenario, it will remain in a position of strength.
