Israeli Forces Withdraw from Lebanon, Maintaining Presence at Strategic Locations
Israeli forces continued their withdrawal from southern Lebanon on Tuesday, meeting a revised deadline under a fragile ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, Al Jazeera reports.
While the majority of troops have pulled back, Israel has confirmed it will maintain a presence at five strategic hilltop locations along the border.
According to Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani, these positions are intended to provide vantage points and protection for communities in northern Israel. He characterized the move as a “temporary measure” approved by the United States-led body monitoring the ceasefire.
The withdrawal follows a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States and France in November, aimed at halting months of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. The conflict was triggered by Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel in response to Israel’s war in Gaza, which were met with retaliatory fire from the Israeli side. Israel subsequently launched a ground incursion and bombardments into Lebanon. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reports that these actions resulted in over 4,000 deaths in Lebanon.
Under the ceasefire deal, the Lebanese military, along with United Nations peacekeepers, were to deploy in southern Lebanon as Israeli forces withdrew over a 60-day period. Hezbollah was required to pull back north of the Litani River, approximately 30km from the border, and dismantle its remaining military infrastructure in the area.
The initial deadline for the Israeli withdrawal in late January was extended to February 18.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had previously expressed concerns that a complete withdrawal would not be achieved by the deadline, stating a lack of trust in Israel. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem echoed this sentiment on Sunday, insisting on the withdrawal’s completion without delays.
Despite the pullback, Israel’s Minister of Defense Israel Katz confirmed on Tuesday that the five strategic locations would be maintained and warned against any “violation” of the ceasefire by Hezbollah.
