The Israeli military confirmed Monday that it will remain in five strategic posts in southern Lebanon beyond the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline, which was initially set as part of a ceasefire agreement with Beirut.
Although Israel was supposed to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel’s refusal to comply. The Israeli army confirmed it would stay at five critical positions in southern Lebanon, including:
- Labouneh Hill near the Israeli town of Shlomi, offering a broad view of Lebanese territory.
- Jabal Blat Peak, overseeing towns in northern Israel.
- A hill across from Avivim and Malkia, with a vantage point over the Ramim Mountain Range and towns like Aitaroun and Bint Jbeil in Lebanon.
- Margaliot Hill, a strategic position for strengthening the region’s defense.
- Hamames Mountain Range, overlooking the Israeli town of Metula and Lebanon’s Khiam area.
The army indicated that these posts would be manned long-term, with the objective of providing defensive support for Israeli towns in the Galilee region and preventing Hezbollah from crossing the Litani River.
Israel is also building military sites within its borders, and its troop presence along the Lebanon border will be significantly larger than before the conflict.
In addition, the Israeli army announced that Lebanese citizens who had been displaced from their villages in the region, such as Kfarkela, Odaisseh, Houla, and Maiss el-Jabal, would be allowed to return to their homes as part of the withdrawal agreement.
However, Lebanese officials have rejected the Israeli demand for a continued presence in these areas. On Sunday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem insisted that Israel must withdraw fully by Feb. 18, stating that there should be no Israeli positions or presence in southern Lebanon.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has reportedly violated the truce nearly 1,000 times, causing further casualties in Lebanon, including among civilians.
