Following the election of Lebanon's new president, all eyes are now on the southern region, with only 16 days remaining until the expiration of the ceasefire agreement, which was enacted on November 27.
Developments on the Ground
Following airstrikes targeting southern Lebanese towns, the village of Aita al-Shaab was struck by artillery fire on Friday morning, followed by air raids and a large-scale military sweep of the area.
In addition, Israeli forces have mobilized in the area linking Tallet al-Hamames in Serda to the Metula settlement in northern Israel.
Further Israeli units were deployed on Thursday night around Lebanese Army positions near Kouzah, Debel and Aita al-Shaab. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Army has been awaiting approval from the supervisory committee to regain control of its facilities in the region.
Israeli drone surveillance was also observed over Beirut and its suburbs earlier on Friday, as well as over the Hermel area.
A Lebanese army unit, accompanied by a bulldozer and a Lebanese Red Cross team, headed into the town of Aitaroun
Furthermore, an Israeli drone targeted a van in the town of Tayrdaba, Tyre district. The strike has reportedly killed five so far.
Israeli Media Reports
According to Maariv, an Israeli newspaper, “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have insisted that the Israeli Army maintain its positions in three strategic areas in southern Lebanon, even after the ceasefire ends.” According to the report, this stance would be opposed by outgoing US President Joe Biden but supported by President Donald Trump.
The report further suggests that the election of President Joseph Aoun “could heighten international pressure from the United States and other Western and Arab nations on Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.”
Moreover, The Jerusalem Post quoted an Israeli official expressing concerns that “Israeli authorities fear Hezbollah may resume fighting if the Israeli Army does not withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 27.”
Since the ceasefire’s implementation, no direct confrontations have been reported between Israeli and Hezbollah forces. However, both each side has accused the other of violating the ceasefire's terms.
As reported by The Jerusalem Post, “while the Biden Administration has confirmed that the Lebanese Army's deployment is progressing as planned, Israeli officials have highlighted the slow pace of this operation.” The report adds that, “should the Lebanese Army fail to dismantle Hezbollah,” Israel may be “compelled to remain in southern Lebanon.”
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