Lebanon president urges Israeli withdrawal by ceasefire deadline

President Joseph Aoun calls for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement, as tensions rise over border violations.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres (R) meets with President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon, on January 18, 2025. Photo by Houssam Shbaro/Anadolu/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has issued a strong call for Israel to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by the January 26 deadline, as stipulated in the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement reached last year. Aoun emphasized the importance of adhering to the terms of the agreement during a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday.

"Israeli forces must withdraw from occupied territories in the south within the deadline set by the agreement reached on November 27," Aoun stated. He also condemned Israel’s ongoing violations, including destruction of homes and border villages, which he said contradict the ceasefire's provisions.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered to end two months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, requires the Lebanese army to deploy in the south alongside UN peacekeepers while the Israeli military withdraws. Simultaneously, Hezbollah must move its forces north of the Litani River and dismantle its military infrastructure in the region.

However, the agreement’s implementation has been marred by accusations of repeated violations. Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem accused Israel of committing “hundreds” of ceasefire breaches, warning against further provocations.

“We have been patient with the violations to give the Lebanese state a chance to address them, but I call on you not to test our patience,” Qassem declared in a televised speech.

He also called on the Lebanese government to take a firmer stance in responding to these violations, urging a united front backed by international sponsors of the ceasefire deal.

President Aoun’s remarks came during Guterres’s visit to Lebanon, where he met with key officials, including prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam. The UN chief reiterated his call for a peaceful resolution and urged Israel to cease its military operations and occupation in southern Lebanon.

Guterres expressed hope that Lebanon could begin “a new chapter of peace,” emphasizing the importance of fully implementing the ceasefire agreement. He revealed that UN peacekeepers had uncovered over 100 weapons caches in the south, allegedly belonging to Hezbollah or other armed groups.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who also visited Lebanon, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for accelerated implementation of the ceasefire.

Hezbollah’s role in Lebanon’s political landscape remains significant despite its weakened state following the recent conflict. Analysts attribute the election of Aoun as president and the appointment of Salam as prime minister-designate to a fragile political consensus influenced by Hezbollah and its allies.

Qassem emphasized Hezbollah’s continued influence, stating that their backing, along with the Amal movement, was instrumental in breaking Lebanon’s two-year political deadlock. “No one can exploit the results of the aggression in domestic politics,” he warned. “No one can exclude us from effective and influential political participation in the country.”

A fragile road to peace

The situation in southern Lebanon remains tense as the January 26 deadline approaches. While the ceasefire agreement was a significant step toward stability, its success hinges on the commitment of all parties involved.

Lebanon’s deeply divided political class faces the challenge of maintaining unity while addressing ongoing border violations and ensuring that the Lebanese state retains a monopoly on arms.

President Aoun’s firm stance, coupled with international pressure, aims to ensure that the ceasefire terms are fully respected. However, with Hezbollah’s continued presence and Israel’s alleged violations, achieving long-term peace remains a complex and uncertain task.

As the deadline nears, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that could pave the way for a stable and peaceful future in the region.