Lebanon’s leader blasts Israel for ignoring troop pullout deadline

President Joseph Aoun has denounced Israel for failing to abide by the ceasefire agreement in which it promised to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon by Sunday.

Addressing residents of the Israeli-occupied south, Aoun said on X, “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, and I am following up on this issue at the highest levels to ensure your rights and dignity.”

He urged the Lebanese to “exercise self-restraint and trust in the Lebanese Armed Forces”.

As part of the ceasefire, Hezbollah is supposed to retreat beyond the Litani River, 30km (20 miles) from the border with Israel, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure.

The Lebanese army has been gradually deploying in further areas in the south along with UN peacekeepers, as Israeli military troops have gradually withdrawn.