Beirut: The Lebanese army is executing government measures south of the Litani River in southern Lebanon with "professionalism and precision," President Joseph Aoun announced on Tuesday. In his statement, Aoun condemned the Israeli strikes that targeted several towns in southern and eastern Lebanon on Monday, following immediate evacuation orders. An early Tuesday strike by Israel also hit a three-story building in Sidon, injuring one person.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Aoun expressed concerns that these Israeli attacks "raise serious questions" as they coincided with the scheduled meeting of the ceasefire mechanism committee. This committee is responsible for halting hostilities and discussing steps to restore security and stability in southern Lebanon. Key issues include the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the southern border, the release of Lebanese detainees, and the complete deployment of the Lebanese army in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Aoun accused Israel of attempting to derail efforts aimed at curbing the ongoing escalation, despite Lebanon's cooperation and measures to extend state authority south of the Litani River. He emphasized that the Lebanese army has implemented these measures with "professionalism, precision, and discipline."
The President renewed his call for the international community to intervene effectively to halt Israeli attacks in Lebanon and enable the mechanism committee to fulfill its mandate. The attacks have occurred amid Israeli media reports suggesting preparations for a potential large-scale attack targeting Hezbollah positions, should the Lebanese government and army fail to dismantle the group's weapons.
Lebanon and Israel have observed a ceasefire since November 2024, which ended more than a year of cross-border attacks amidst the war in Gaza, resulting in over 4,000 deaths and 17,000 injuries. Under the ceasefire terms, the Israeli army was expected to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January, yet it has only partially retreated and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.