We’ll keep you informed about developments coming up in the month ahead at the UN and international courts, providing you with insights into anti-Israel lawfare and equipping you with knowledge for the pursuit of justice.
Key developments
Hezbollah threat persists despite Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Agreement
On 17 November, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 2803, passed with 13 votes in favour, none against, and two abstentions by China and Russia. It endorsed the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, annexed to the UNSC resolution
The start of 2026 has brought renewed security instability and international legal complexity to the Israel-Lebanon border, raised by a possible resumption of their cross-border war in early 2026.
Hezbollah attacked Israel on 8 October 2023 and, for the next year, fired thousands of rockets and mortars into Israel. In a limited response, Israel struck back at sources of fire during a year of cross-border fighting and, in a major response on 1 October 2024, invaded Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon.
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon required that the parties cease hostilities from 27 November 2024 for 60 days. It provided that Hezbollah would disarm and that Israel must withdraw its forces from Southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah must withdraw its forces to north of the Litani River. and that both Israel and Hezbollah would withdraw from areas south of the Litani River. Both nations recognize the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 to disarm Hezbollah for achieving lasting peace and security, and commit to its full implementation without violation. The Lebanese army and security forces will be the only armed groups in the Southern Litani area. The Government of Lebanon will regulate and control the sale, supply, and production of arms and related materiel within Lebanon to prevent the rearmament of non-state groups. Lebanon’s official forces will monitor and confiscate unauthorized arms, material and facilities,
Since the Israel-Lebanon November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah has been in constant violation, rearming itself and using smuggling routes and local manufacture to acquire missiles, rockets and artillery. Over a year later, Lebanese Forces have been unable to enforce Lebanon’s international obligations to disarm Hezbollah. Despite Lebanon assuring it has disarmed Hezbollah, Israel has denied that such achievements have been met and reaffirm that the terrorist organization poses an active threat towards Israel.
Consequently, although Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon, it declared that it would temporarily remain in five “strategic” positions within Lebanon along the Lebanese border. Furthermore, Israel itself has targeted Hezbollah’s military rearmament efforts, to defend against active threats. It is possible that Lebanon’s failure to implement the ceasefire agreement will result in a resumption of war in 2026.
