The United Nations confirmed, on Tuesday, that any further delay in the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon to the south of the Blue Line constitutes a continuing violation of UN Resolution 1701.

This came in a joint statement by the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the Head of the UNIFIL Mission and its Force Commander, General Aroldo Lazaro.

The statement said: "Today marks the end of the period specified for the withdrawal of the Israeli army to the south of the Blue Line and the parallel deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in locations in southern Lebanon, as stipulated in the Cessation of Hostilities Understanding of November 26, 2024."

He added that "any further delay (after it was extended once until February 18) in this process (withdrawal) contradicts what we had hoped would happen, especially since it constitutes a continuing violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006."

The UN statement continued: "However, this should not overshadow the tangible progress that has been made since the understanding entered into force in late November."

He added: "The Israeli army withdrew from population centers in southern Lebanon, coinciding with the deployment of the Lebanese army in difficult circumstances, and this supported the return of local communities and worked to restore basic services."

He stressed that "the new Lebanese President (Joseph Aoun) and the government are determined to fully extend the authority of the state in all areas in the south and to enhance stability to prevent the return of conflict to Lebanon, and they deserve steadfast support in this endeavor."

But he added that "we still have a lot of hard work ahead of us to achieve the commitments made in the November understanding (ceasefire agreement) and in Resolution 1701," calling on the two parties to "fulfill their obligations" under it.

The statement considered that "the feeling of security among the residents of southern Lebanon, who are suffering from the widespread destruction that befell their villages and towns (as a result of the recent aggression), as well as among the residents of northern Israel who were forced to leave their homes, will not come overnight."

He stressed that the feeling of security "cannot come from continuing military operations, but rather sustainable political commitment is the only way forward."

"Ultimately, Lebanon and Israel must make the solutions stipulated in the November understanding and Resolution 1701 a reality, on both sides of the Blue Line," he added.

The statement concluded by noting that "the United Nations in Lebanon is ready to continue supporting all efforts in this direction."

Tens of thousands of Israelis have left their homes in settlements near the Lebanese border since the start of the war in October 2023.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Lebanese National News Agency confirmed the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the villages and towns it occupied in the south of the country, with the exception of 5 main points along the border.

She said, "The Israeli forces withdrew at dawn from the villages and towns they occupied in the south, namely Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, Blida, Mays al-Jabal, Houla, Markaba, Adaisseh, Kfar Kila, and al-Wazzani."

In contrast, the agency reported that Israel maintained its presence at "five main points along the border," on the pretext that these points are opposite major settlement blocs.

Earlier on Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed the necessity of the Israeli withdrawal from all of the country's territories, and the readiness of the army to carry out all its duties.

The Lebanese presidency reported this in a statement, following an "exceptional meeting" at Baabda Palace, east of Beirut, to discuss developments on the country's southern border, and the continuation of Israeli violations and breaches.

The Israeli army was supposed to complete its withdrawal from the areas it occupied in southern Lebanon at dawn on January 26, according to the deadline set in the ceasefire agreement of 60 days starting from its entry into force on November 27, 2024.

The current form of withdrawal also contradicts Beirut's demands for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.

Israel's aggression against Lebanon began on October 8, 2023, and turned into a full-scale war on September 23, leaving 4,104 martyrs and 16,890 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to the displacement of about 1,400,000 people.

Since the agreement came into effect, Israel has committed at least 925 violations of it in Lebanon, leaving at least 74 martyrs and 265 wounded.