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3. Addressing Ceasefire Violations and Israeli Withdrawals: Efforts Underway in the Coming Days

Indirect communication remains open between Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Amos Hochstein, the mediator of the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of Resolution 1701. These efforts aim to address Israeli violations of the agreement, including delays in the withdrawal from southern Lebanon, continued Israeli aerial and ground attacks, abductions, and acts of bombing and bulldozing in several towns.

According to sources close to Speaker Berri, Hochstein is expected to chair the next meeting of the monitoring committee after the Christmas and New Year holidays, as he promised to Berri.

A Western diplomatic source following the committee's work noted that an assessment of the situation in the south after the November 27 ceasefire reveals violations from both sides—the Israeli army and Hezbollah. The source highlighted that the scale of Israeli violations is significant and escalating. Israel is fully exploiting the 60-day truce to complete the destruction of Hezbollah's military infrastructure in the southern villages and their surroundings, reaching depths of up to 8 kilometers from the border. This process is expected to continue until the final day of the 60-day period.

The source pointed out that the Israeli army in southern Lebanon is acting with a victor's mindset but is expected to comply with the withdrawal beyond the Blue Line by the end of the 60-day period. Moreover, the withdrawal from the town of Khiam is particularly significant, as it represents a highly strategic point for Israel due to its vantage over several areas inside Israel. However, the importance of other positions still occupied by Israel, such as Maroun al-Ras, Odaisseh, Kfar Kila, and the Naqoura area in the western sector—where demolition and excavation activities continue—should not be underestimated.

Conversely, the Western diplomatic source reported that Hezbollah has resumed some activities in certain southern areas. Its members are inspecting former military positions, including rocket launch sites, ammunition depots, and weapons storage locations. They are also attempting to assess the condition of some tunnels, particularly those outside residential areas in several villages, as communication has been lost with groups believed to have been stationed there.

Furthermore, the source noted that Hezbollah members are trying to retrieve ammunition and combat equipment from some sites, which Israel interprets as preparations for a renewed confrontation.

Lebanese military sources have described Israel's actions as procrastination in implementing the agreement, particularly regarding withdrawal from occupied territories. Both the US and France are reportedly exerting pressure on Israel to expedite its steps. Information conveyed to the Lebanese side suggests that the Israeli army plans to carry out a series of withdrawals in the coming days.