Tensions Persist on Third Day of Ceasefire: Hezbollah Chief Warns of Israeli Aggression
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem announced in a televised speech on Friday that the group would work alongside the Lebanese army to implement the ceasefire with Israel. While the agreement has been relatively effective on the third day, trust between the two sides remains fragile.
Naim Qassem stated, “There will be no issues or differences between us and the Lebanese army. Coordination between the resistance forces and the army will be at a high level for implementing the agreement.”
He added, “We will work to strengthen Lebanon's defensive capabilities further. The resistance forces are prepared to prevent Israel from exploiting Lebanon’s vulnerabilities, and the army will be our first and foremost partner in this endeavor.”
Lebanese Army’s Preparations:
As per the ceasefire terms, Hezbollah and Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days, during which time the Lebanese army will be deployed in the area. The army has already dispatched some troops to the south and is drafting a detailed deployment plan to be presented to the cabinet.
Ceasefire Violations:
However, the Israeli military has imposed restrictions on residents returning to border villages and, in recent days, has fired on individuals, labeling their movements as ceasefire violations.
Both Hezbollah and the Lebanese army have accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. They reported that Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes north of the Litani River on Thursday. On Friday, Israeli warplanes carried out further attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah’s weapons depots.
Escalating Complexity:
Analysts suggest that while coordination between the Lebanese army and Hezbollah remains intact, Israel's aggressive actions could jeopardize the future of the ceasefire. Lebanese citizens are closely monitoring the evolving situation.
