Lebanon Extends Ceasefire with Israel to Feb 18
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Synopsis
Lebanon's caretaker government has announced the extension of its ceasefire with Israel until February 18, following the expiration of the initial truce. The U.S. brokered the agreement, stating that the ceasefire arrangement remains effective until February 2025, amid ongoing negotiations regarding Lebanese detainees held in Israel.
Key Takeaways
- Lebanon extends ceasefire with Israel.
- New deadline set for February 18, 2025.
- U.S. involved in negotiations.
- Accusations of Israeli violations against civilians.
- Lebanese and Israeli forces to negotiate detainee return.
Beirut, Jan 27 (NationPress) The caretaker government of Lebanon declared on Monday its decision to prolong the ceasefire agreement with Israel until February 18, following the expiration of the initial 60-day truce.
The United States, which facilitated the initial ceasefire, stated that "the ceasefire arrangement between Lebanon and Israel will remain in effect until February 18, 2025," highlighting Israel's failure to withdraw its military forces from southern Lebanon by the agreed deadline.
The statement further noted that discussions will commence soon involving Lebanon, Israel, and the U.S. regarding the repatriation of Lebanese detainees held in Israeli prisons since October 7, 2023.
Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati indicated that the resolution to extend the ceasefire was reached "after consultations with President Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri about the latest developments in the south, and after evaluating talks with the U.S. mediator."
Simultaneously, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry accused Israel of not fulfilling its commitments, especially concerning its withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
It also condemned "intentional Israeli assaults on Lebanese civilians attempting to return to their occupied villages."
On Sunday, 22 individuals, including a Lebanese soldier, lost their lives, and 124 others were injured due to Israeli gunfire as hundreds of Lebanese civilians tried to enter southern villages still under Israeli control, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry urged the international sponsors of the ceasefire and other stakeholders to denounce Israel's assaults on civilians and to "apply pressure on Israel to meet its obligations under the agreement."
The ceasefire agreement, which commenced on November 27, 2024, mandated Israel to retreat from Lebanese territory within 60 days, allowing the Lebanese army to assume security along the border and in southern Lebanon, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Additionally, on Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israel will continue to strictly enforce ceasefires with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while warning that "anyone who breaches the rules or threatens Israeli forces will face significant consequences."
Israel initiated a multi-front conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah in October 2023, reaching ceasefires with both parties in late January this year and November of the previous year, respectively.
