Middle East Monitor (MEMO)                  January 27, 2025

   “What comes after the period given for Israel’s withdrawal? Israel has to withdraw because the 60 days are over. We do not accept any justification to extend for one moment or one day,” he said in a recorded televised address.

   Israel said that its army’s withdrawal would last beyond the 60-day period stipulated in the ceasefire agreement with the Lebanese group, saying the terms of the deal had not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state.

   The United States said the agreement between Lebanon and Israel would remain in effect until 18 February, an extension to the 26 January deadline previously agreed.

   Qassem said in his speech that the group received information that Washington initially proposed to Lebanese officials to extend the deal to 28 February, which he said they rejected.

   Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, said during a meeting with US Ambassador, Lisa Johnson, that the country accepted adhering to the ceasefire agreement with Israel until 18 February.

   Mikati said that requires pressure to end the Israeli “aggression and repeated violations” and to secure Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Occupied Territories in the south, in return, his office said in a statement.

   “Nobody in Lebanon can accept the extension (of Israeli troops withdrawal) for one moment. Israel must get out,” Qassem said.

   “Any repercussions of the withdrawal’s delay will be the responsibility of the United Nations, the US, France and the Israeli entity,” he added.

    He also said the “Resistance” has the right to act in what it deems appropriate in response to the “occupation”.

   Israeli forces killed at least 24 people and wounded at least 141 others in southern Lebanon on Sunday and Monday, the Lebanese Health Ministry said, as thousands of people tried to return to their homes in the area in defiance of Israeli military orders.