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Beirut, Lebanon – Israel is Maintain troops in five places on Lebanese territoryraising fears that he is planning a new long -term activity.
Initially Israel was obliged to withdraw its army from southern Lebanon on January 26 as part of a An agreement to terminate the fire with the Lebanese Group HezbollahWhich came into force on November 27th.
As part of the agreement, the Israeli troops and the Lebanese Shiite Group Hezbollah had to withdraw from the southern part of Lebanon – an area where the latter have long dominated – and allow the Lebanese army and the peacekeepers of the United Nations to unfold and control the region.
However, Israeli troops stayed in several Lebanese villages beyond January, pushing the Lebanese government and Hezbollah to accept a new deadline for the withdrawal of Israel on February 18.
The deadline has already accepted and Israel is still refusing to completely leave Lebanon.
This is all you need to know about the effects of Israel's occupation.
Why is Israel in Lebanon first?
On October 1, 2024 Israel Sent troops over its northern border in Lebanon as part of a wider war with Hezbollah.
Israel and Hezbollah were involved in a low -intensity conflict almost a year before. The clashes began a day after Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups attacked South Israel on October 7, 2023 and Israel begins his war against GazaS
Hezbollai initiated clashes with the stated goal of pressing Israel to end the war against Gaza, which now killed over 61,700 Palestinians.
However, Israel gradually escalated its conflict with Hezbollah and eventually invaded southern Lebanon for the purpose of securing their own borders so that thousands of Israelis could return to their villages in North Israel. The Israelis were forced to leave because of the rocket fire of Hezbollah, however huge layers of southern Lebanon, were depopulated as a result of Israeli attacks.
Israel's attacks against Lebanon killed nearly 4,000 people – Many civilians – and uprooted hundreds of thousands of their homes.
Why Israelis stay in Lebanon
To put it simply, at the moment no Lebanese power has the strength or ability to push Israel out of its territory if the latter does not want to leave.
The fire termination agreement is thought to be monitored by a peace maintenance mechanism that is chaired by the United States and includes France. US is the closest ally of Israel and usually authorized Israel To convey his verbal commitments as well as international law commitments.
The United States does not seem to push Israel to withdraw completely from Lebanese territory in accordance with its Agreement to terminate the fire with Hezbollah.
On the contrary, Israel claims that it will remain in “five strategic points” until the Lebanese army fully realizes its side of the deal.
Some experts believe that Israel's presence and refusal can ultimately restore the hostilities.
Where are they right?
The forces will remain on five hills sitting at different points along the Lebanese border with Israel. They are Al-Asia, Al-Avida, El-Hamames, Jabal Bust and Labbun.
It should also be noted that Israel for decades occupied the shebaa farmsA small area along the border between Lebanon and Syria Golan Heights, an area that also annexed illegally. Lebanon claims that Shebaa's farms are his own, but Israel says it is part of the Golan heights, referring to existing disagreement between Syria and Lebanon, dating back to the 1940s.
What is the reaction?
The Lebanon government opposed any prolonged presence of Israel in its territory and said that Israel should withdraw as part of the fire termination agreement.
Israel claims that his actions are a “temporary measure” and are approved by a US -led body that monitors the truce.
But to the Lebanese President Joseph Aun, he early on fears that there would be no complete withdrawal by the deadline, saying that “the Israeli enemy cannot be trusted.”
Meanwhile, Hezbollah's leader, Naim Kassel, also called on the Lebanese government to impose a fire termination agreement and stated that Israel “should” withdraw “on February 18 and that there was no” apology “.
“It is the Lebanese state's responsibility to make Israel withdraw,” he said at a television address.
Hezbollah also said he would look at all Israeli troops that are still on Lebanese soil as an occupying force. The group early fighting the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon, which extended from the 1980s, forcing the Israeli forces in 2000.
However, Israeli and US leaders are rejected.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio simply called on the Lebanese state to completely disarm Hezbollah, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Israel would “apply” the fire termination agreement.
The European diplomats achieved a more prime tone, with France suggested last week that the UN peacekeepers replaced Israeli troops in the five hills to maintain the cessation of fire and to provide interconnected security.
The UN's peacekeeping mission in South Lebanon, Unifil, also released a statement saying that Israel hopes to withdraw without more delay.
“Another delay in this process is not what we hoped would happen, last but not least, because a violation of the UN Security Council resolution of 1701 (2006) continues. However, this should not overshadow the tangible progress that is made after the understanding came into force at the end of November, “says Unifil in his statement.
Are Israel's actions legal?
Srinivas Bura, a legal scientist and professor at the University of South Asia in New Delhi, India, told Al Jazeera that the invasion of Israel in Lebanon before the fire termination agreement is illegal and that its continued presence in violation of the agreement also seems illegal.
In addition, Bura said that the only credible argument that Israel can collect is that the Lebanese army is unable to provide south of Lebanon from Hezbollah. Even then, he said, Israel must point out that her profession would be temporary, pointing to a new period of time for his withdrawal.
“I think Israel has a weak argument to stay in (Lebanon),” Bura told Al Jazeera.
But Michael Becker, an international law assistant at Trinity College, Dublin, says Israel may have a legal basis to stay in South Lebanon
He said that, according to international law, every country has the right to suspend its obligations to an agreement, if another party has not fulfilled an obligation that is essential to achieving the overall goal of the agreement. “
He also said that the conditions of termination of fire predict that Israel “should” withdraw from Lebanon after 60 days. The wording shows that the timeframe for the withdrawal of Israel from Lebanon is a recommendation.
“In the end, any Israel's decision does not complete the withdrawal of the (army) from Lebanon within the 60-day period, strongly indicates the need for all parties to identify clear indicators to facilitate the end of Israel's withdrawal,” he told Al to Al, ” Jazeera.
It should be noted that Israel has occupied Palestinian territory, including on the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza since 1967 and repeatedly ignored the resolutions of the United Nations that it ends its occupation, as well as an international court consultative opinion last year last year year that its occupation and the creation of settlements in occupied territory were Illegally under international lawS
What happens after that?
Israel warned that he was ready to resume hostilities. The Israeli army did not hesitate to head to the residents who have been returning to their homes so far. At least 22 people were killed by Israeli forces On January 26, the initial withdrawal deadline.
Hezbollae, for his part, was deeply bathed by the war with Israel, who saw that he was losing much of his highest leadership and, according to reports, a significant amount of his arsenal. You are unlikely to want to give the Israelis any excuse to resume the goals of the bombing in Lebanon.
Still, Israel's insistence on remains in the borderline has made an obstacle to the Lebanese government's newly formed efforts to win the trust of the whole country.
Lebanon said he worked diplomatically with the United States, France and Unifille for a decision that respects its sovereignty.
Lebanon Foreign Minister Joe Raji said on local television on Monday that he suggested Unifil take the five points that Israel occupied. However, he added that the proposal had been rejected.
