Israel rejects French accusations of violating ceasefire in Lebanon

After France accuses Israel of dozens of violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar tells French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in a phone call that Israel is not violating the ceasefire terms but is instead “enforcing them in the face of Hezbollah’s violations that require an immediate response in real time.”

According to Sa’ar’s office, he points at examples of Hezbollah operatives walking around armed south of the Litani River, or moving weapons.

“Their mere presence south of the Litani is the most fundamental violation. They must move north!” says Sa’ar, according to the Israeli readout.

Sa’ar also calls on the Lebanese government to “clearly authorize the Lebanese army to carry out the actions required of it under the agreement.”

Israel will not accept a return to the prewar situation in Lebanon, Sa’ar declares.