Lebanese Army Chief Says Military Units Deployed in the South and ‘Will Not Leave’

Lebanon’s Army Commander General Jospeh Aoun. (Archive-Reuters)
Lebanon’s Army Commander General Jospeh Aoun. (Archive-Reuters)
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Lebanese Army Chief Says Military Units Deployed in the South and ‘Will Not Leave’

Lebanon’s Army Commander General Jospeh Aoun. (Archive-Reuters)
Lebanon’s Army Commander General Jospeh Aoun. (Archive-Reuters)

Lebanon’s Army Commander General Jospeh Aoun stressed on Thursday that the Lebanese military is deployed in the south of the country and will not leave it.
He said the army's presence there is an integral part of Lebanon’s national sovereignty.
In a statement, Aoun emphasized that the Lebanese Army continues to carry out its missions in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), in full adherence to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
He further stated that the Lebanese Army is resolutely countering "any attempts to destabilize security and stability," underscoring that national unity and civil peace are paramount priorities. These, he emphasized, are red lines that will not be crossed by anyone.
Aoun vowed that the false accusations and "incitement campaigns" targeting the army would only reinforce its resolve, determination, and cohesion.

Since expanding its operations from Gaza to Lebanon in September, Israel has conducted extensive bombing primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds mainly in south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs.



ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas Officials

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas Officials

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory.

The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict.
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic.

US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request.

But the ICC said Thursday that Israel's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction was not required.

Israel launched its war against Hamas after militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year.

Health officials in the Gaza Strip said Thursday the death toll from the 13-month-old war has surpassed 44,000.

The Israeli offensive has also caused heavy destruction across wide areas of the coastal territory and displaced 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people.