In the statement, the officials emphasized that as the deadline for Israel’s withdrawal and the Lebanese army’s deployment has passed, “any further delay in this process is not what we hoped would happen.”
They asserted that the delay constitutes a breach of the Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
“The new Lebanese President and Government are determined to extend state authority completely in all areas in the south and consolidate stability to prevent conflict from returning to Lebanon. They deserve unwavering support in this endeavour,” the statement added.
Israeli forces have pulled out from several locations, including Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, Blida, Meiss el-Jabal, Hula, Markaba, Odaisseh, Kfar Kila, and Wazzani. However, troops remain stationed on five hilltops along the Lebanese border with occupied Palestinian territories.
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel erupted on October 8, 2023, and continued until a ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024.
The conflict resulted in nearly 4,000 deaths and widespread devastation across Lebanon, particularly in the south. Israeli forces reduced almost the entirety of the villages in southern Lebanon to rubble before withdrawing.