Israel says Hezbollah 'continuing to use force in security zone'
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- An Israeli military source accused the Lebanese Army of failing to fully clear Hezbollah presence from designated "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon.
- The source stated that Hezbollah is undermining a framework agreement aimed at ensuring peace and stability, and is violating the ceasefire.
- Israel insists that the Lebanese Army is responsible for removing any "terrorist presence or infrastructure" from these areas.
An Israeli military source on Monday criticized the Lebanese Army's effectiveness in the designated "pilot zones" of southern Lebanon. The source claimed the Lebanese Army has not fully cleansed these areas of Hezbollah's presence and has not entered private properties within them, describing its search operations as "partial."
The Lebanese Army has operational control over the pilot zones without fully cleansing them of Hezbollahโs presence.
The source asserted that while the Lebanese Army holds "operational control" over these zones, it has not eradicated Hezbollah's influence. The Israeli army, however, remains "committed to implementing the framework agreement and maintaining the ceasefire with Lebanon," according to the source.
The Israeli army is committed to implementing the framework agreement and maintaining the ceasefire with Lebanon.
Israel views the Ali al-Taher and Shaqif heights as strategically important areas. The source stated that a return to normal life is contingent upon Lebanon's "effective implementation of the framework agreement." This agreement, Israel believes, is crucial for preventing Iran from influencing Lebanese state decisions and charts a path toward peace and stability through Hezbollah's disarmament.
A return to normal life is only possible through Lebanon's effective implementation of the framework agreement.
The Israeli source charged that Hezbollah is "undermining the implementation of the framework agreement" by "violating the ceasefire and continuing to use force within the security zone in southern Lebanon." The source concluded by stating that the Lebanese Army bears the responsibility for clearing the pilot areas of any "terrorist presence or infrastructure."
The Lebanese Army is responsible for clearing the pilot areas of any terrorist presence or infrastructure.
Originally published by Naharnet. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.