French President Emmanuel Macron has engaged in diplomatic efforts to salvage the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which was set to proceed this Sunday following Israel’s announcement of a delayed withdrawal from South Lebanon.
The Lebanese presidency stated that Macron is conducting discussions to uphold the ceasefire and ensure the agreement’s implementation. According to a statement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has intensified his consultations and efforts to address the escalating situation in the South and counter what were described as dangerous Israeli practices.
Macron contacted Aoun to discuss the developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing the importance of implementing the ceasefire agreement and taking measures to defuse the crisis. Macron affirmed, according to the Lebanese presidency, that he is “making contacts to sustain the ceasefire and complete the agreement’s implementation.”
Aoun, for his part, stressed the necessity of holding Israel accountable for fulfilling the terms of the agreement to maintain stability in the South. He highlighted Israel’s continued violations, including the destruction of villages near the southern border and the leveling of lands, actions that would hinder displaced residents from returning to their homes.
The Israeli military has warned residents of dozens of Lebanese border villages against returning until further notice. On Saturday, the Israeli army issued a map showing areas in the South, marked with dozens of villages, and cautioned residents against entering these areas.
The army’s statement on the X platform read: “Anyone moving south of this line is putting themselves in danger.” The designated area spans from Shebaa, about two kilometers east of the border, to the village of Mansouri, roughly 10 kilometers west of the border.
In contrast, the Lebanese army accused Israel of stalling its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, complicating the deployment of Lebanese forces in the area. A Saturday statement by the Lebanese army said: “Several stages have been delayed due to Israel’s stalling in its withdrawal, complicating the army’s deployment efforts. However, the army remains ready to complete its deployment as soon as the Israeli forces withdraw.”
The Lebanese army also urged residents to delay their return to the border region due to the presence of Israeli-laid landmines and unexploded ordnance. It called on citizens to act responsibly and adhere to the military’s instructions to ensure their safety.
“Military units are continuously conducting engineering surveys, clearing roads, and addressing unexploded ordnance. They are closely monitoring the operational situation, including violations of the agreement, attacks on Lebanese sovereignty, and the destruction of infrastructure, including demolitions and fires in border villages caused by Israeli forces,” the statement added.
The Lebanese army also noted that it is implementing a plan to enhance its deployment in the region south of the Litani River under a mandate from the Cabinet. This effort began as soon as the ceasefire agreement came into effect, following a phased and coordinated approach in collaboration with the five-member committee overseeing the agreement’s implementation and UNIFIL forces.
