The United Nations warned on Tuesday that any delay in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which served as the basis for the ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27.
The Israeli military has made it clear that it will only withdraw from certain positions in southern Lebanon if there is concrete evidence that Hezbollah militants have also pulled back © TOL
The United Nations warned on Tuesday that any delay in Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon constitutes a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which served as the basis for the ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 27.
In a joint statement, the UN envoy to Lebanon and UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) stressed:
“Today marks the deadline for the withdrawal of the Israeli army and the parallel deployment of Lebanese armed forces in positions across southern Lebanon.”
“Another delay in this process is not what we had hoped for, especially as it continues to violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
However, such a statement seems almost laughable, given that since 2006, the UN has done nothing to prevent Hezbollah from transforming the border region into a heavily fortified military zone.
In this context, Israel is exercising legitimate caution. While the UN criticizes the Israeli withdrawal, it conveniently ignores Hezbollah’s entrenchment in the area, where the Iranian-backed group has stockpiled advanced weaponry and built underground military infrastructure—all in direct violation of the same Resolution 1701.
The Israeli military has made it clear that it will only withdraw from certain positions in southern Lebanon if there is concrete evidence that Hezbollah militants have also pulled back. Without such assurances, Israel risks ceding territory to an armed force that has repeatedly called for its destruction.
While the UN continues to issue empty warnings, the reality on the ground remains unchanged: Hezbollah, not Israel, is the true violator of Resolution 1701—and yet, the international community remains silent.
By Philippe Tanios
Hezbollah has received $200 million from Iran to help Lebanese displaced by this year’s war with Israel, two people with direct knowledge of the transfer said, the first significant aid from the group to supporters who bore the brunt of the conflict.
Saudi Arabia has launched an air accident probe following last week's cockpit stabbing on a flydubai jet, as experts examine any fallout for aviation safety alongside a separate UAE-led criminal investigation, three people close to the matter said.
A reported CIA warning that Israel faces civil war or state collapse rests on anonymous briefings, an unpublished paper, and a unit whose job is to invent uncomfortable scenarios. That is a thin basis for a claim this large.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.