Israel insists on effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon by the UN, and the country is ready to show “zero tolerance” to any of his violations, said Israel's Defense Minister Katz, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
„Every house in southern Lebanon that is rebuilt and turned into a terrorist base will be destroyed. Any arming or regrouping of terrorists will be struck, any attempt to smuggle arms will be thwarted,” Katz said in a meeting with the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plashart.
Government spokesman David Menser added that the agreement would allow Israel to maintain its right to self-defense against threats from "Hezbollah" and to ensure the safety of the residents of the northern Israeli communities.
On the Lebanese side, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib expressed optimism that the truce will be signed within the day. He said the Lebanese army is ready to deploy 5,000 troops in the south of the country after Israeli units withdraw. The US is expected to play a key role in rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by Israeli strikes.
The ceasefire agreement calls for Israeli troops to withdraw from southern Lebanon, replaced by the Lebanese Armed Forces, within 60 days. The Shia group "Hezbollah" committed to ending its armed presence in the areas south of the Litani River.
Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Elias Bou Saab, assured that there are no significant obstacles to the implementation of the agreement, apart from a possible change of mind by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the military escalation continues. Israeli airstrikes today caused destruction in the southern suburbs of Beirut, while "Hezbollah" retaliated with rocket fire on Israeli territories. This calls into question the stability of the expected truce.