Israel to Maintain Military Presence in Southern Lebanon Beyond Withdrawal Deadline
Israeli officials confirmed that troops will remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon past the established withdrawal deadline. Amid ongoing tensions, Israel’s planned pullout is in jeopardy as it faces pressure from Hezbollah and local authorities in Lebanon demanding a full withdrawal. Despite the ceasefire agreements, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are set to maintain control over these outposts while negotiations with the U.S. continue regarding the specifics of their military presence. Hezbollah leaders are calling for a complete Israeli withdrawal by mid-February, warning that resistance efforts will intensify if their demands are not met. As the situation develops, both Israeli and Lebanese officials express differing views on the timeline and conditions of military withdrawals.
PBS NewsHour, The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, The Washington Post, i24NEWS, Al Jazeera English, Financial Times