Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Israel has announced that it will not complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by the January 26 deadline outlined in a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, Hezbollah launched cross-border attacks into northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Israel responded with airstrikes, artillery fire, and a ground incursion into southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons caches. After months of intense fighting that displaced over a million Lebanese civilians, a US and France-brokered ceasefire agreement was reached in November, stipulating that both Israeli and Hezbollah forces withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days. The agreement also required the Lebanese army, supported by UN peacekeepers, to deploy across the area and ensure that Hezbollah does not maintain a military presence south of the Litani River.

What’s going on now: Israel is now stating that it will not complete the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon by the January 26 deadline, arguing that Hezbollah and the Lebanese army have not fully met the conditions of the ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials claim that Hezbollah has not withdrawn its forces north of the Litani River as required and accuse the Lebanese army of failing to fully deploy in the region to secure it. Israel also says that its military presence is necessary to dismantle the remaining Hezbollah infrastructure, including weapons caches and tunnel networks, and prevent the terrorist organization from reestablishing its stronghold near the border. In defense of its actions, Israel has set up roadblocks and maintained military control over key areas, including southeastern sectors of the border, citing security concerns.

Hezbollah, on the other hand, has accused Israel of deliberately stalling the withdrawal and using the ceasefire as cover to destroy civilian infrastructure and further entrench its forces. Lebanese officials have echoed these claims, stressing the widespread destruction of villages near the border, such as Mays al-Jabal and Blida, where homes and civilian structures are now rubble.

Roadblocks set up by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have also drawn criticism, as they have restricted the movement of UN peacekeepers and prevented residents from returning to their homes. Hezbollah has warned that if Israel does not fully withdraw as stipulated in the ceasefire, it will consider the delay a violation of the agreement and respond with force.

This all comes as the IDF has warned Hezbollah that if they respond with force, it would be considered a violation of the ceasefire agreement and met with a decisive military response.