BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday called on Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to “ensure the EU countries pressure Israel to complete its withdrawal from the southern border area within the set deadline of the 18th of this month.”
Aoun said that “Lebanon supports the Arab Peace Initiative and rejects any proposals that would lead to any form of Palestinian displacement from their land or undermine their legitimate rights as enshrined in United Nations resolutions.”
Six days before the full withdrawal of Israeli forces that had advanced into southern Lebanon — following a 24-day extension of the withdrawal deadline, with US approval — the committee overseeing the monitoring of the ceasefire and the implementation of Resolution 1701 was informed that the Israeli army is asking to remain in some border areas until Feb. 28. Lebanon however, has informed the committee of its firm rejection of this request.
Morgan Ortagus, US deputy ambassador for the Middle East, is expected to return to Beirut on a second visit as part of her current mission to follow up on the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon on Feb. 18.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a recent meeting at the White House asked US President Donald Trump to delay the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Lebanon for a few weeks.
Additionally, he sought to maintain Israeli control over five key hills: Jabal Blat, Labouneh, Aziziyah, Awida, and Hamames.
Lebanon’s efforts to ensure Israel’s complete withdrawal from its territory by the specified deadline are accompanied by a proposal for UNIFIL forces to be stationed in coordination with the Lebanese army to take control of the said hills.
Maj. Gen. Hassan Ouda, acting chief of Lebanon's army, met Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, commander of UNIFIL, and their “discussions focused on the efforts being made to implement Resolution 1701,” according to an army statement.
The authorities in Lebanon are awaiting the Trump administration to fulfill its commitment regarding the scheduled withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Last week, Ortagus said in a statement from Beirut that her country “is dedicated to ensuring that Israel completes its withdrawal on the specified timeline.”
Meanwhile, Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli military, issued an urgent warning on social media to the residents of southern Lebanon.
“The Israeli army remains deployed in the field following the extension of the agreement’s implementation period. Therefore, you are prohibited from moving south or returning to your homes in the areas in question until further notice. Anyone attempting to move south is at risk,” he posted.
On Wednesday, Israeli forces continued bombing border villages in the eastern and central Gaza Strip and set houses ablaze.
Additionally, Israeli forces carried out bulldozing operations on the outskirts of the town of Al-Dahira and used cranes to install concrete slabs at the technical fence of the Blue Line.
Also on Wednesday, a young man, identified as Khalil Fayyad, succumbed to gunshot wounds inflicted by Israeli forces on Jan. 26 in his hometown of Aitaroun during residents’ attempts to return to the town.
