Lebanon condemns Israel, warns to suspend cooperation with ceasefire committee - Region

Al-Ahram Weekly

19 hours ago

The army statement came hours after the Israeli army struck several buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, came on the eve of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday.
The Lebanese army said it started coordinating with the committee observing the ceasefire after Israel's army issued its warning and sent patrols to the areas that were to be struck to search what Israel claims as underground facilities used by Hezbollah. It added that Israel rejected the suggestion.
'The Israeli enemy violations of the deal and its refusal to respond to the committee is weakening the role of the committee and the army,' the Lebanese army said in its statement. It added such attacks by Israel could lead the army to freeze its cooperation with the committee 'when it comes to searching posts.'
The U.S.-led committee that has been supervising the ceasefire that ended the 14-month Israeli war in November is made up of Lebanon, Israel, France, the U.S. and the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon known as UNIFIL.
Since the war ended, Israel has carried out nearly daily airstrikes on parts of Lebanon. Beirut's southern suburbs were attackd on several occasions since then.
Israel has also killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, while the Lebanese government said in April that Israeli strikes had killed another 190 people and wounded 485 since the ceasefire agreement.
There has been increasing pressure on Hezbollah, both domestic and international, to give up its remaining arsenal, but officials with the group have said they will not do so until Israel stops its airstrikes and complete withdrawal.
A deadline expired for all Israeli troops to leave south Lebanon under a ceasefire deal, but Israel continues to occupy five sites along the border in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah says that it has ended its military presence along the border with Israel south of the Litani River, in accordance with terms of the ceasefire deal.