UNIFIL Urges Israel To Pull Troops From South Lebanon On Time According To Agreement

JAKARTA - The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Thursday urged Israel to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon on time based on an agreement with Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

In a statement, UNIFIL voiced concerns over what it called continued destruction by Israeli forces in residential areas, agricultural land, and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, which it deems a violation of UN Resolution 1701.

"UNIFIL continues to urge the withdrawal of Israel's Defense Forces on time and deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (replace Hezbollah) in southern Lebanon, along with the full implementation of Resolution 1701 as a comprehensive path to peace," the statement said.

The Israeli military said it was investigating UNIFIL's criticism and declined to comment further for now.

The ceasefire marked the end of the deadliest confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah since their six-week war in 2006.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on 27 November. The 60-day ceasefire brokered by the United States ordered a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli military after more than a year of war, in accordance with the resolution of the 2006 UN Security Council which ended their last major conflict.

Under the agreement, Hezbollah fighters had to leave position in southern Lebanon and move north of the Litani River, which flows about 20 miles (30 km) north of the border with Israel, along with a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the south.

Under the terms of a ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israeli forces have up to 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, but no party can launch offensive operations.

The Lebanese military said it was following up with UNIFIL and the committee overseeing the agreement, regarding what it called an in-depth Israeli force attack on several regions in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL itself reaffirmed its readiness to monitor the southern region of the Litani River, to ensure the region is free of armed personnel and weapons, except those of the Lebanese government and UNIFIL.