Beirut: The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s Quds Force has issued a call for Israel to withdraw from positions it occupied in Lebanon prior to the onset of the US-Israeli conflict against Iran. Esmail Qaani emphasized the responsibility of Muslims to support the resistance movement in Lebanon and highlighted the feasibility of removing Israel from the region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Qaani's remarks, carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, stressed that the primary demand of the resistance is for Israel to return to positions it held before the 40-day conflict began. He expressed confidence that Lebanese fighters would soon witness the results of their persistent efforts.

The Israeli army announced its intention to persist with its offensive in southern Lebanon, despite a trilateral declaration from Washington on Wednesday that proclaimed an agreement on a ceasefire. Israel maintains control over areas in southern Lebanon, with certain territories occupied for decades and others since the 2023-2024 conflict.

Throughout the current offensive, Israeli forces have penetrated more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, marking the deepest incursion since the year 2000. Since March 2, Israel's large-scale offensive in Lebanon has resulted in over 3,500 fatalities, more than 10,600 injuries, and the displacement of well over 1 million individuals, based on official reports.

Regional tensions have been on the rise since late February, following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran that claimed more than 3,000 lives. In response, Tehran has targeted Israel and Gulf nations hosting US bases and has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global shipping. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan commenced on April 8, with ongoing efforts to achieve a more comprehensive agreement.