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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Monday rejected accusations from the United States and France regarding Israeli violations of the terms of the truce that came into effect in Lebanon last week. This response comes as tensions remain high in southern Lebanon, despite international mediation.
Gideon Saar Defends Israel's Position
In a statement posted on According to him, the presence of Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani River constitutes a “fundamental violation of the agreement”. “They must move north,” he insisted, while reaffirming Israel's commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the ceasefire agreements.
Saar also clarified that Israel will not return to “the reality of October 6, 2023,” referring to the security and military situation before the signing of the agreement.
Jean-Noël Barrot calls for mutual respect of the truce
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Israel and Hezbollah to fully respect the terms of the truce in a phone call with Saar on Monday. This statement comes after several reports of incidents occurring despite the cessation of hostilities, including Israeli strikes which reportedly left one dead and one injured in Lebanon.
Nabih Berri accuses Israel of “flagrant violations”
The Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, accused Israel of violating the terms of the truce, denouncing “aggressive actions” by Israeli forces. In a statement, Berri said the attacks represent a “blatant violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreement.”
Berri, who played a key role in mediating the ceasefire agreement on behalf of Hezbollah, called on the monitoring committee to force Israel to immediately cease its violations and withdraw from the occupied Lebanese territories. He also clarified that Lebanon and Hezbollah fully respected the terms of the agreement.
“Israeli violations exceeded 54 incidents. Where does the committee position itself on these ongoing violations? “, he asked, questioning the effectiveness of the monitoring mechanism.
The role of the supervisory committee
The monitoring committee, led by the United States, includes France, the UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lebanon and Israel. This mechanism is designed to ensure the implementation and respect of the terms of the truce.
On Friday, the US military announced that Major General Jasper Jeffers, accompanied by US envoy Amos Hochstein, would co-chair the committee. Hochstein, who led more than a year of negotiations to reach the truce, is serving in the role temporarily until a permanent civilian president is appointed.
A fragile balance
Despite international commitments and truce guarantees, mutual accusations between Israel and Hezbollah highlight the fragility of the agreement. While Israel justifies its actions as a response to alleged violations by Hezbollah, Lebanon insists that it is Israeli forces that are acting in violation of the terms of the truce.
The situation highlights the complexity of regional dynamics and the importance of the role of international mediators in avoiding a resumption of hostilities.
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