Daoud Rammal, “Akhbar al-Yawm” agency

Israeli Maneuvering of Commitments: Political Tactic or Attempt to Impose a New Reality?

Diplomatic source: Israel controls the implementation of the agreement and sets the standards for border calm

Israeli provocations persist in the southern Litani region, reaching deep into Lebanese territory, despite the clear commitments agreed upon to maintain the ceasefire.

Since the announcement of the ceasefire, Israel has repeatedly violated the terms of the agreement, exploiting the 60-day period granted by the negotiation document to implement its provisions. These breaches are neither random nor incidental but carry clear implications and serve multiple objectives aimed at bolstering Israel’s negotiating position and imposing its own pace on the border situation.

A diplomatic source in Beirut told “Akhbar Al-Yawm” that, “In the coming days, Lebanon is expecting a visit from U.S. Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein, who is anticipated to play a pivotal role in monitoring the implementation of the mutual commitments between Lebanon and Israel, particularly regarding the meetings of the monitoring committee responsible for stabilizing the ceasefire. His visit comes at a critical time, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s imminent entry into the White House, Lebanon’s significant presidential election process, and the approaching end of the 60-day deadline for Israel’s withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL forces. However, Israel's deliberate actions, ranging from land, air, and maritime violations, clearly aim to test Lebanon’s patience and international responses.”

The source explained that “Israel is aware that the signed document imposes clear obligations, yet it adopts a strategy of evasion, seeking to exploit the available timeframe until the last moment to achieve field gains or impose new realities. These actions are part of Israel’s traditional strategy aimed at weakening its adversaries and diverting their focus, while sending regional and international messages that reflect its desire to maintain control over the agreement’s implementation and the definition of calm on the borders.”

The source added that “Lebanon, for its part, understands the dimensions of this Israeli policy and seeks to counter it through active diplomatic efforts and the involvement of international mediators, led by Hochstein, to solidify commitments and prevent Israel from exploiting this period for territorial gains. Supported by a unified public and political stance, Lebanon is striving to bolster the Lebanese Army's presence in border areas to ensure stability and prevent any escalation that could lead back to confrontation.”

The source concluded that “Israel's violations are not merely isolated incidents but are part of a calculated strategy to circumvent agreements and exploit temporal gaps to impose new realities. With Hochstein’s visit in the spotlight, attention is focused on the outcomes of the upcoming monitoring committee meeting, which will serve as a real test of Israel’s commitment to halting provocations and completing its withdrawal. Lebanon, for its part, will not accept turning this agreement into a mere negotiation document devoid of practical implementation.”