The head of Hezbollah, a militant organization located in Lebanon, asserted on Sunday that Israel has “no justification” for keeping a military presence anywhere in southern Lebanon. He maintained that all Israeli forces must exit Lebanese territory by February 18.
In the context of a ceasefire mediated by the U. S. in November, Israel was allotted 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon, where its troops had been clashing with the Iran-supporting Hezbollah since early October. This deadline was subsequently extended to February 18. However, as per sources mentioned by Reuters last week, Israel’s military sought approval to retain forces at five sites in southern Lebanon.
In a pre-recorded televised address, Hezbollah’s secretary general, Naim Qassem, stated: “Israel must withdraw completely on Feb. 18, it has no pretext, no five points or other details… this is the agreement.” Qassem additionally stressed that any lingering Israeli military presence in Lebanon after February 18 would be seen as an occupying force.
“Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with,” he said, stopping short of explicitly threatening renewed attacks on Israel
Meanwhile, Israel’s public broadcaster announced on Wednesday that the U. S. had consented to a “long-term” Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon.
During Qassem’s address, at least three Israeli airstrikes hit Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. The Israeli military reported that these strikes were executed after detecting Hezbollah movement at sites containing rocket launchers and other armaments.
Moreover, Qassem called upon the Lebanese government to reconsider its prohibition on Iranian flights arriving in Beirut. Lebanese officials had temporarily suspended the flights until February 18 after Israel claimed that Tehran was utilizing civilian aircraft to smuggle funds to Beirut to supply Hezbollah.
The ban left numerous Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran, where they had gone for a religious pilgrimage with intentions to return via Iran’s Mahan Air. While Lebanon organized for two of its aircraft to retrieve them, Iran declined to provide landing clearance in Tehran.
On Saturday, Hezbollah supporters mounted a protest outside Beirut airport against the ban, leading Lebanese security forces to disperse them with tear gas.
Qassem criticized Lebanon’s decision, labeling it “the execution of an Israeli command.
”Let the plane land and we will see what Israel will do,” he added.
