Hochstein confirmed that the Lebanese army is implementing the ceasefire agreement by deploying in southern Lebanon to be the only entity that provides security for the people.

The US envoy's statements come after Israel threatened to remain in southern Lebanon beyond the 60 days stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

Avoiding talking about Israel's threat to remain in southern Lebanon beyond the 60-day deadline set by the ceasefire agreement, US envoy Amos Hochstein said, "The Israeli army will continue to withdraw from all Lebanese territories, but the mission is difficult and not easy."

Hochstein's remarks came after he met with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, after arriving on Monday for a two-day visit during which he will meet with Lebanese officials to discuss implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

In a statement to reporters after the meeting, Hochstein noted that before arriving to meet Berri, he went to Naqoura (southern Lebanon) where he participated in the third meeting of the mechanism for monitoring the cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon.

The US envoy's statements come a day after Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz threatened to blow up the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon if the party did not withdraw beyond the Litani River.

The official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation also reported on Sunday, citing unnamed sources, that "Israel is preparing to remain in Lebanon for a very long period, exceeding the 60-day period stipulated in the agreement that entered into force on November 27."

She added: "According to Israeli sources, the desire is to remain even after 90 days, as the Israeli army sees the need to remain in a number of military sites in Lebanon."

The body also said on Saturday that Israel is expected to inform the United States that it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon at the end of the 60-day period, claiming that "the Lebanese army does not meet the terms of the agreement and that Hezbollah is trying to reorganize its ranks in the region."

Since November 27, 2024, a fragile ceasefire has prevailed, ending the mutual shelling between Israel and Hezbollah that began on October 8, 2023, and then turned into a full-scale war on September 23.

The most prominent provisions of the ceasefire agreement include Israel's gradual withdrawal to the south of the Blue Line separating it from Lebanon within 60 days, and the deployment of Lebanese army and security forces along the border, crossing points, and the southern region.

According to the terms of the agreement, the Lebanese forces will be the only party allowed to carry weapons in southern Lebanon, with the dismantling of infrastructure and military sites and the confiscation of unauthorized weapons, while "these obligations do not cancel Israel's or Lebanon's inherent right to self-defense."

"I am very pleased to say that before the meeting began, the Israeli army began withdrawing from Naqoura, and from most of the western sector... The Israeli withdrawal will continue from all Lebanese territory," Hochstein said.

He added: "This is not an easy process, it is a difficult process... The Lebanese army is implementing the agreement by deploying in the south to be the only entity that provides security for the people and allows the residents of the south to return to their homes."

For his part, the media office of the Lebanese Parliament Presidency said that Berri, during his meeting with Hochstein, "followed up on the developments of the general situation and political and field events in light of Israel's continued violations of the ceasefire terms."

As of 18:50 (GMT), the Israeli side has not commented on the US envoy's statements.

According to official Lebanese data, 398 violations by Israeli forces have been recorded since the signing of the agreement, resulting in the killing of 32 people and the injury of 38 others.

The Israeli aggression on Lebanon resulted in 4,063 martyrs and 16,663 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to the displacement of about 1,400,000 people. Most of the victims and displaced persons were recorded after the escalation of the aggression on September 23.