Lebanon ceasefire with Israel sparks sovereignty concern

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday plans to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces war crime charges, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House to discuss the terms of a new ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, according to the Institute for Public Accuracy (IPA).

Critics have raised alarms over the implications of the ceasefire for Lebanon’s sovereignty.

As’ad AbuKhalil, quoted by the IPA, questioned the cost of the agreement, stating: “So this is the price for Lebanon for a 10-day ceasefire — the terms of which are still unknown.” AbuKhalil also highlighted Iran’s role in pushing for the ceasefire.

The ceasefire follows a history of violations by Israel. AntiWar.com noted that a similar agreement brokered by the Biden administration in November 2024 was breached thousands of times by Israeli forces.

On Friday, Drop Site News reported that Israeli strikes hit an ambulance near the border in Kounine just hours after the new ceasefire took effect, killing medical workers. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that over 90 medical workers have died in Israeli attacks since March 2.

Hezbollah MP Ibrahim Al-Moussawi promised compliance with the ceasefire, but tensions remain high as Israeli forces continue occupying Lebanese territory and have destroyed all bridges over the Litani River.

Critics argue the destruction is part of Israel’s long-standing goal of annexing territory south of the Litani, a plan documented as far back as the 1950s by former Israeli Prime Minister Moshe Sharett.

Courtney Bonneau reported on Thursday on an alleged Israeli drone attack that killed a young Lebanese man fleeing a targeted vehicle. She described the incident as “barbarism” and “abject terrorism,” claiming it is part of Israel’s ongoing campaign of violence and intimidation in Lebanon.

Several experts and activists have condemned the ceasefire and its consequences. Saree Makdisi,  professor at UCLA, argued the Lebanese government is sacrificing national sovereignty for a fragile peace with Israel.

Journalist Hanasy Salman reported that Israel has killed over 1,000 people and bombed more than 100 medical facilities in Lebanon since March.

As the ceasefire takes hold, concerns grow that loopholes in the agreement could allow Israel to continue its attacks and territorial expansion, further destabilizing the region and undermining Lebanon’s independence.