Macron tells Netanyahu to honor Lebanon ceasefire as 22 die
French President Macron has told Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to honor the ceasefire with Lebanon as Israeli forces kill 22 people in the south.
Macron has stressed the importance of restoring Lebanon’s state authority nationwide and called for an immediate end to Israeli military presence beyond the agreed deadline, reported by RFI on January 26th.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by the US and France, involved the withdrawal of Hezbollah forces to the north of the Litaki river, the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Lebanon, and the establishment of the Lebanese army in their place.
According to the ceasefire agreement, all Israeli forces would be withdrawn by Sunday 26th January but, instead, the army claimed the lives of 22 individuals attempting to return home.
The casualties included six women, 124 wounded individuals, and the death of a Lebanese soldier.
According to the Israeli military, its troops initially fired warning shots at individuals approaching their position, claiming they “identified and detained several suspects deemed threats,” according to RFI.
The ceasefire has been characterized by sporadic violence, mutual accusations and growing tension as Israel announce their plans to extend their presence, citing the failure of Lebanese authorities to fully implement the terms of the agreement.
Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, has appealed to international mediators like the French to pressure Israel into complying with the truce.
France, the former colonial power of Lebanon, had suffered souring relations with Israeli in 2024 after they banned Israeli companies from participating in an arms trade fair outside Paris, citing the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as the reason.
However, following a recent call between Macron and Netanyahu, it seems Israeli companies will be permitted to attend the arms fair suggesting the pressure that Lebanese officials want placed on Israel isn’t enough.
RFI
