Israeli Defense Minister Warns Ceasefire To Be Canceled If Hezbollah Does Not Resign From South Lebanon

Defense Minister Katz and Hezbollah's weapons were successfully secured at the IDF headquarters in the northern region. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz said on Sunday, "there would be no agreement" and Israel would be forced to act if the militant group Hezbollah did not withdraw from southern Lebanon.

"Israel is interested in implementing the deal in Lebanon and will continue to enforce it fully and without compromise to ensure the safe return of the northern population to their homes," Defense Minister Katz said during a visit to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base in northern Israel, reported by The Times of Israel January 5.

"However, the first requirement for implementing the agreement is the full withdrawal of the Hezbollah terror organization across the Litani River, the demolition of all weapons, and (relocation) of terror infrastructure in the region by the Lebanese army, something that has not happened yet," he said.

"If these conditions are not met, there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act independently to ensure the return of the northern population to their homes safely," Defense Minister Katz added.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on 27 November. The ceasefire for the 60 days 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.

The Lebanese military said it was following up with UNIFIL (UNITED Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon) 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.

In a statement on Saturday, UNIFIL said Israel deliberately violated the Security Council Resolution 1701 and the November ceasefire agreement reached between Tel Aviv and Beirut, citing IRNA from the Al-Mayadeen network.

"Today (Saturday) peacekeeping forces saw an Israeli army bulldozer destroy a blue barrel marking the withdrawal line in the "Al-Labuneh" area," the statement said.

In addition, Israeli soldiers also destroyed the watch tower of the Lebanese Armed Forces, which is located next to one of UNIFIL's positions, he added.

It said the intentional and direct destruction by the Israeli army was a clear violation of Resolution 1701 and international law.