Hezbollah warns Israel against violating Lebanon ceasefire

Hezbollah has condemned any attempt by Israel to keep its troops in Lebanon beyond Sunday, calling it a "blatant" breach of the ceasefire agreement. The group insists that Israel’s withdrawal must be completed on schedule, saying that the failure to do so would escalate tensions.

Reports suggesting Israel plans to extend its military presence have sparked outrage, with Hezbollah urging Lebanon’s political leadership to press international mediators - primarily the US and France - to enforce the deal.

The agreement, brokered in November following Israel’s devastating bombardment of Lebanon, granted Israeli forces 60 days to withdraw. It also stipulated that Hezbollah would relocate its fighters north of the Litani River, about 30km from the Israeli border.

Hezbollah has stressed that the Lebanese army must be allowed to take control of all national territory and that civilians displaced by Israel’s occupation should be able to return home without delay.

“Exceeding the 60-day period would be a blatant breach of the agreement, a severe violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and a new chapter of the occupation that would require the state to deal with it with all the tools granted by international norms,” the group said.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued its aggressive military operations in Lebanon, killing senior Hezbollah figures and destroying large swathes of civilian infrastructure.