Click to see the full-size image
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on February 17 that its troops will remain in five strategic positions in southern Lebanon after the deadline for their withdrawal set in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
Under the ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the United States last November, Israeli troops were granted 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah fighters were to leave the zone and Lebanese troops were to deploy in the area within the same period. The original deadline had already been extended from January 26 until February 18.
Last week, the U.S. reportedly agreed to let the IDF stay in the five positions in southern Lebanon post the ceasefire deadline.
The posts are located at a hill near the town of Labbouneh, across from the the Israeli border settlement of Shlomi; the Jabal Blat peak, across from the settlement of Zar’it; a hill across from the settlements of Avivim and Malkia; a hill across from the settlement of Margaliot; and a hill across from the settlement of Metula. None of these positions are populated.
The IDF said that its troops will stay in these positions for a lengthy period, until Hezbollah fully withdraws beyond the Litani River and the Israeli political leadership instructs it to leave.
According to the IDF, Hezbollah supporters could stage as they return to their homes in southern Lebanon, many of which were destroyed amid the fighting with Hezbollah. Israeli troops by then will not be located in any of the towns, so there should be no direct friction, the military said.
Nevertheless, the IDF noted that it would prevent “suspects” from approaching the Israeli border and the newly established positions in southern Lebanon.
The military also announced that it carried out over the last few days “intensive activity” in southern Lebanon, removing any last threats it could find, from caches of Hezbollah weapons to tunnel infrastructure. Israeli troops operated in areas up to eight kilometers inside Lebanon, it added.
In addition, the IDF said that the area close to the Israeli border was essentially entirely cleared of Hezbollah infrastructure and weapons, after troops in the past months scanned nearly every home, under every tree, and in every valley.
Click to see the full-size image
The military stressed that it will continue to enforce the ceasefire agreement after the withdrawal by striking immediate Hezbollah threats and reporting violations to a U.S.-led committee supervising the ceasefire composed of representatives from the U.S., France, Lebanon, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
A Lebanese security official confirmed late on February 17 that Israeli troops have started to pull out from some border towns, as the Lebanese military moved in, hours before the ceasefire deadline.
The Lebanese army enters Maroun Al-Ras
“Israeli forces are beginning to withdraw from border villages, including Mais al-Jabal and Blida, as the Lebanese army advances,” the official told AFP, without noting that the IDF will remain in five strategic positions.
It’s worth noting that Hezbollah had rejected Israel’s justifications for staying in some positions in southern Lebanon and has urged the Lebanese government to ensure all Israeli troops leave. However, the group has not explicitly threatened to resume fighting.
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
