Latest news with #LebanonArmy
The National
4 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel warns of 'no calm in Beirut' until Hezbollah is disarmed
Israel's Defence Minister has warned there will be "no calm in Beirut' until Hezbollah is disarmed. Israel Katz made the remarks hours after the Lebanese capital was hit by air strikes as people prepared to celebrate the Eid Al Adha holiday. Israel said the attacks on Thursday night – latest breach of a ceasefire agreement – were launched against Hezbollah "drone factories" in Beirut's southern suburbs, without providing evidence. 'There will be no calm in Beirut, and no order or stability in Lebanon, without security for the state of Israel," Mr Katz said in a statement. 'Agreements must be honoured and if you do not do what is required, we will continue to act, and with great force,' he said in a threat to the Lebanese government. The Israeli military issued an eviction order for the sites about an hour before launching its attack, causing residents of the densely populated areas to flee. On Friday morning, the Lebanese army accused Israel of ignoring an international ceasefire monitoring mechanism and bombing Beirut despite efforts to prevent the attack. Continued Israeli breaches may compel the military to suspend its co-operation with the ceasefire monitoring committee regarding inspections of alleged Hezbollah sites, the army said. The monitoring mechanism is led by the US and oversees the implementation of the ceasefire agreed on in November last year. Lebanon has accused Israel of breaching the truce more than 3,000 times. The army said it contacted and co-ordinated with the monitoring mechanism after the Israel military issued its eviction order, in an effort to prevent the strikes. 'Patrols also headed to a number of sites to inspect them, despite the [Israeli] rejection of the proposal,' it said. 'The army command condemns these attacks, particularly the latest one, which came on the eve of the holidays in a clear attempt by the enemy to obstruct our nation's progress, recovery and ability to benefit from the positive conditions available." Under the truce, Hezbollah fighters must withdraw to north of the Litani River, about 30km from the border with Israel, and dismantle military posts further south. Israel was supposed to withdraw from Lebanese territory, but has failed to do so and continues to bomb southern Lebanon on a daily basis. The Lebanese army has sent soldiers to the south to remove Hezbollah infrastructure there. Lebanon's leaders say they want to bring all arms under state control as soon as possible, but through diplomatic means.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Lebanese army warns Israeli airstrikes might force it to freeze cooperation with ceasefire committee
The Lebanese army condemned Friday Israel's airstrikes on suburbs of Beirut, warning that such attacks are weakening the role of Lebanon's armed forces that might eventually suspend cooperation with the committee monitoring the truce that ended the Israel- Hezbollah war. The army statement came hours after the Israeli military struck several buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs that it said held underground facilities used by Hezbollah for drone production. The strikes, preceded by an Israeli warning to evacuate several buildings, 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 military issued its warning and sent patrols to the areas that were to be struck to search them. It added that Israel rejected the suggestion. The U.S.-led committee that has been supervising the ceasefire that ended the 14-month Israel-Hezbollah war in November is made up of Lebanon, Israel, France, the U.S. and the U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon known as UNIFIL. '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.' Since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended, Israel has carried out nearly daily airstrikes on parts of Lebanon targeting Hezbollah operatives. Beirut's southern suburbs were struck on several occasions since then. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began on Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began launching rockets across the border in support of its ally, Hamas, in Gaza. Israel responded with airstrikes and shelling and the two were quickly locked in a low-level conflict that continued for nearly a year before escalating into full-scale war in September 2024. It killed more than 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians, 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 withdraws from five points it is still occupying 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.
LBCI
08-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's PM Salam: My presence in Baalbek is a message of support for Lebanese Army's efforts
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed the need to halt Israeli violations, affirming that the Lebanese government has spared no effort in pushing for a swift Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Speaking after visiting the Baalbek Serail and inspecting border control operations, Salam stated: "We are committed to improving the Dahr El Baydar road, and it is essential to renew local governance through timely municipal elections." "My presence in Baalbek is a message of support and guidance for the Lebanese Army's efforts in border control and dismantling captagon factories, and a tribute to their sacrifices," he added.
