The Israeli military has intensified its attacks on Lebanon - despite the ceasefire – expanding its operations beyond the Litani River to the Iqlim al-Tuffah region in the south and reaching the Bekaa Valley and the eastern border with Syria.
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with a high-ranking US military delegation to discuss Israel’s repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the need to implement UN Resolution 1701.
The US delegation, led by General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, also included Jasper Jeffers, head of the technical ceasefire monitoring committee, other senior officers, and US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson.
Discussions addressed the security situation in South Lebanon and the progress of Israel’s withdrawal according to the agreed-upon timeline. A statement from the presidential palace noted that the talks covered the implementation of Resolution 1701, the coordination between the Lebanese army, international forces, and the ceasefire monitoring committee.
Aoun commended the cooperation between the Lebanese and US militaries, highlighting the US role in supporting Lebanon’s stability and development.
Later, the US delegation was joined by General Aroldo Lazaro, commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), French General Guillaume Ponchin, deputy chair of the ceasefire monitoring committee, and Acting Lebanese Army Commander Major General Hassan Odeh, who attended with a delegation of Lebanese military officers.
In the South, Israeli warplanes targeted areas between the southern towns of Arabsalim, Humin al-Fawqa, and Deir al-Zahrani. More strikes targeted the outskirts of Janta in the Baalbek district near the eastern mountain range, as well as border crossings between Lebanon and Syria in the areas of Qasir and Hermel. Israeli reconnaissance aircraft also flew at low altitudes over Tyre and its surrounding villages.
On the ground, Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported that an Israeli force, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, conducted sweeps in the Mufilaha and Ras al-Zuhr areas west of Mais al-Jabal.
The set fire to homes in Mufilaha and detonated 15 explosive devices. The Israeli military also carried out an explosion in Aita al-Shaab and fired heavy machine guns from their position in the Metula settlement toward the Khiyam plains.
In Mais al-Jabal, Israeli forces conducted extensive sweeps with automatic weapons, and a powerful explosion was reported in the town. The Lebanese army, which had planned to enter the town on Monday, consequently postponed its deployment.
The escalating Israeli violations have raised concerns that Israel may delay its withdrawal from occupied areas in southern Lebanon beyond the Blue Line within the ceasefire deadline.
Retired Brigadier General Saeed Qazah told Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel currently has freedom of movement during the 60-day period without requiring the monitoring committee’s approval.
Referring to recent strikes in Janta and Humin, he explained that Israel had informed the Lebanese army about suspected Hezbollah movements and, upon receiving no response, carried out the attacks. He added that the US had assured Israel during ceasefire negotiations that it could conduct strikes anywhere in Lebanon if Hezbollah’s activities were deemed a threat.
Despite the violations, the Israeli army is expected to withdraw from areas south of the Litani River by January 27.
However, Qazah emphasized that this withdrawal is contingent upon Hezbollah surrendering its weapons and positions to the Lebanese army and relocating its fighters north of the Litani. He warned that if Hezbollah adopts the same approach it did in 2006, Israel may refuse to withdraw, citing concerns over its security.
