Lebanon’s new president Joseph Aoun said Saturday that Israel must “withdraw from occupied territories” in his country’s south by the January 26 deadline set in the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement.

In a speech before visiting United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres, Aoun also decried “Israel’s continued violations” of the agreement.

“Blowing up homes and destroying border villages, completely contradicts what was stated in the ceasefire agreement,” he said, according to the Lebanese president’s office.

His remarks followed a speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem who urged Beirut to confront Israel over “more than hundreds” of violations.

Despite the ceasefire, which was signed November 27 after 14 months of war, Israel has continued striking south Lebanon, saying the attacks targeted Hezbollah fighters and weaponry violating the accord, including by continuing to operate south of the Litani River, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border with Israel.

The agreement gives Israel the right to operate against imminent threats. Israel has also accused the Lebanese military and UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL of failing to enforce the agreement in the face of Hezbollah violations.

The ceasefire gave Israel 60 days, until January 26, to withdraw from south Lebanon. After that, the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL will be the only armed forces permitted to maintain a presence between Israel and the Litani.

However, there have been some reports in Israel that this deadline could be delayed, ostensibly due to the Lebanese........

© The Times of Israel