Israel Is Trying To Keep Its Troops In Lebanon

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Israel has asked the United States for additional time to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, Arab and Hebrew media reported on January 23.

The ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the U.S. and entered into effect on November 27, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26. At the same time, Hezbollah is required to retreat north of the Litani River.

Also under the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is entitled to act against immediate threats posed by Hezbollah, but must forward complaints about longer-term threats to an oversight committee composed of representatives from the U.S., France, Lebanon, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Akhbar outlet reported that Israel has asked the committee for additional time to withdraw fully, but over the next three days will pull out of northern and western areas.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had asked American and French officials to ensure that Israel withdraws on time, the report said.

In the last few weeks, Israel has alleged that the Lebanese military has deployed too slowly across the region.

Responding to Israel’s request, Hezbollah called on “everyone, especially the political authority in Lebanon,” to pressure countries overseeing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon to ensure that the IDF withdraws at the end of the 60-day truce, which is on January 26.

In a statement, Hezbollah said that if Israel stays in south Lebanon beyond the 60 days, it would be “considered a flagrant violation of the agreement and an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty.”

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Haaretz daily similarly reported that the U.S. and France are discussing the requested extension with Israeli and Lebanese officials. The source assessed that France sees no issue with granting the extension, so long as the other parties are in agreement.

Meanwhile Israel’s Army Radio reported that U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is less inclined to grant a 30-day reprieve than was his predecessor Joe Biden, and wants the full withdrawal completed by the pre-set date.

Israel’s outgoing ambassador to the US Michael Herzog nevertheless told the radio network that he believed Israel and the U.S. would “reach an understanding” on the matter and that the extension would be granted.

Meanwhile, IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon were continuing to find weapons and Hezbollah infrastructure, the military said.

The IDF said troops of the 7th Armored Brigade, during scans in south Lebanon, found Russian-made anti-tank missiles, grenades, and assault rifles.

Additionally, in a joint operation with the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, the army said troops found several tunnels belonging to Hezbollah, some of which were used as weapon depots.

Since the start of the ceasefire, both the IDF and Hezbollah have exchanged accusations of violating the agreement. However, casualties were only reported on the Lebanese side. Despite all issues, both sides do not appear to be planning to return to fighting.

The confrontation between the two, which broke out as a result of the war on the Palestinian Gaza Strip, claimed the lives of more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and 130 others on the Israeli side.

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