Israel-Lebanon peace at risk amid continued Israeli presence

The collapse of the ceasefire agreement could be inevitable if Israel refuses to withdraw from Lebanon, reports The New Arab.

The leader of Hezbollah, the Iran-supported Shia militant group, has declared the inevitability of conflict with Israel if demands are not met.

Speaking to Al-Manar TV, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, Naim Qassem said, “We committed to the [ceasefire] agreement while the enemy violates it,” warning that, “If the Israeli occupation continues, it must be confronted by the army, the people, and the resistance.”

The New Arab reports that on 10th March, Israeli forces reportedly abducted a Lebanese soldier from the border area of Kfar Shuba, which remains partially under Israeli occupation.

The soldier was reportedly shot and wounded by Israeli troops before the abduction occurred.

Neither Israel nor Lebanon has yet commented on the incident.

This comes after the ceasefire, brokered by the US, brought an end to over a year of conflict between the two sides on 27th November.

However, tensions have simmered over the past few months as Israel has not fully withdrawn from Lebanon.

Israeli forces have continued to provoke Lebanon by conducting airstrikes on Lebanese soil, while simultaneously maintaining control of five ‘strategic’ areas in the region.

Israel claims that the occupation of these areas is essential for its security, according to The New Arab.

These airstrikes are intended to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding itself and potentially posing a renewed threat to Israel.

At present, analysts suggest that a weakened Hezbollah is incapable of restarting hostilities with Israel, as the Lebanese government pushes for diplomacy as the only solution to ending the occupation.

However, Hezbollah insists that diplomacy is insufficient to guarantee Israel’s withdrawal and to rid both regions of the inevitable ceasefire collapse.

“This resistance will not stop,” said Qassem, declaring that his group refuses to back down in the face of Israeli aggression.

He rejected claims that Hezbollah had weakened and maintained that the group is fully capable of resuming the fight.

The New Arab