The Lebanese military leadership stated that Israeli forces must withdraw from Lebanese territory, calling Israel's continued presence the greatest danger facing the country. According to Al Jazeera, Lebanese Army Commander Rudolphe Haykal met with Jean Arnold, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, at Yarze in the south to discuss the situation following the expiration of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on December 31, 2026.