Lebanese army threatens to end cooperation with ceasefire committee after Israeli strikes in Beirut

The military force complained that Israel's strikes weakened the role of Lebanon's army, according to the report.

Members of the Lebanese army walk near Beirut international airport, Lebanon, February 15, 2025 (photo credit: REUTERS/EMILIE MADI)
Members of the Lebanese army walk near Beirut international airport, Lebanon, February 15, 2025
(photo credit: REUTERS/EMILIE MADI)

Lebanon's army threatened to withdraw cooperation with the ceasefire committee monitoring the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire over Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, the Associated Press reported on Friday.

The military force complained that Israel's strikes weakened the role of Lebanon's army, according to the report.

The warning came after the IDF said it struck Hezbollah's underground drone manufacturing facilities in the southern Beirut suburbs. While Israel warned civilians to evacuate ahead of the strikes, much criticism was directed at the fact the attacks were carried out on the eve of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha.

“The Israeli enemy violations of the deal and its refusal to respond to the committee is weakening the role of the committee and the army,” the Lebanese army said in its statement, adding that it would discontinue cooperation with the committee “when it comes to searching posts” should the strikes continue.

People inspect the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, April 27, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)
People inspect the damage in the aftermath of an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon, April 27, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED AZAKIR)

International condemnation of Israel's strikes in Beirut

France condemned the Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburb, Dahiyeh, on Thursday in a Friday statement on X/Twitter, and called on Israel to completely withdraw from Lebanese territory "as quickly as possible."

"France calls on all the parties to abide by the ceasefire signed on November 26, 2024, in order to ensure the safety of civilian populations on both sides of the Blue Line," the statement reads.

"In accordance with the agreement, the dismantling of unauthorized military sites on Lebanese soil remains a priority for the Lebanese Armed Forces, which have been engaged in this task for several months, with assistance from the monitoring mechanism and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon."