Beirut, Jan 5, (V7N) – Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem announced Saturday that the group may retaliate against alleged Israeli violations of their ceasefire agreement before the 60-day withdrawal deadline for Israeli forces expires.

The truce, which began on November 27 following two months of intense conflict, has seen both sides accuse each other of breaches. Under the agreement:

The Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon alongside UN peacekeepers as Israeli forces gradually withdraw.

Hezbollah agreed to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure in the region.

STATEMENT FROM HEZBOLLAH

“We have shown patience to allow for the agreement's implementation, but this does not mean we will wait the full 60 days,” Qassem said, emphasizing that the group's leadership would decide the timing and nature of any potential response.

MONITORING COMMITTEE

A monitoring committee, comprising representatives from Israel, Lebanon, France, the United States, and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL), has been tasked with addressing violations.

The ceasefire remains precarious, with mutual allegations threatening to unravel the agreement. Qassem’s remarks highlight the volatile situation as both sides test the limits of the truce. Further developments are expected as the withdrawal deadline approaches.

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