• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun calls for Israel to withdraw by the January 26 deadline.
• Remarks come after Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem accused Israel of "hundreds" of ceasefire violations.
• The November ceasefire agreement mandates both Israel and Hezbollah to pull back their forces.
• UN chief Antonio Guterres pledges support for the secure withdrawal of Israeli troops.
• Strengthening of the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers highlighted as essential for stability.

Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, has publicly demanded that Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon by the January 26 deadline established in the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024. This marked Aoun's comments following a meeting with the visiting United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres, who emphasized the necessity of Israel’s withdrawal due to continued violations of the ceasefire. Aoun stated that Israel's ongoing actions—including the destruction of houses and villages—contradict the spirit of the ceasefire and infringe upon Lebanese sovereignty, aligning his remarks with those made by Hezbollah chief, Naim Qassem, who criticized Israel for numerous violations since the pact was established.

In a speech, Qassem noted, "This deal proves the persistence of resistance groups, which took what they wanted while Israel was not able to take what it sought," referring to the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah and the impact on local residents. He further urged the Lebanese state to respond decisively to Israeli provocations, which he claimed have exceeded 100 incidents. “Don’t test our patience,” he warned (source: Reuters).

Aoun's call for withdrawal aligns with the UN Security Council’s stipulations under Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Under the terms of the November ceasefire, both Israeli forces are to withdraw and Hezbollah must relocate north of the Litani River. Guterres noted the international community's commitment to assist Lebanon in stabilizing its security as part of this agreement (source: Le Monde).

During their discussions, Aoun reportedly stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to Israeli violations, reiterating that the Lebanese army would maintain oversight of its territory. The stability of Lebanon, especially under Aoun’s leadership, is believed to hinge on the cooperation of its political factions and the backing of the international community, which Guterres has pledged (source: Al Jazeera).

As tensions continue to brew in the region, the international community, alongside local political factions, faces the urgent challenge of ensuring compliance with the ceasefire to prevent further escalation of the conflict.