Israel has no intention of leaving Lebanon. International media reports that Tel Aviv intends to maintain five outposts on Lebanese territory near the border even after the agreed date for the withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon.
An Israeli military spokesman said it was a temporary measure "until Lebanese troops are able to fully implement the agreement," A2 writes.
The procedure has been agreed upon with the responsible group of states led by the US along with France, Lebanon, Israel and the UN peacekeeping force UNIFIL.
Two foreign diplomats and a Lebanese government official confirmed the location to Reuters. The aim is to provide security for returning Israeli civilians. According to the diplomats, discussions continued on alternatives to staying in place. The Islamic militia Hezbollah announced on Sunday that as of Tuesday, the remaining Israeli soldiers would be classified as occupying forces.
The ceasefire, agreed after nearly a year of fighting between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, includes a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon by Tuesday. The deadline has already been extended once. The speaker of Lebanon's Hezbollah-allied parliament, Nabih Berri, and new President Joseph Aoun had recently opposed a further extension of the withdrawal deadline.
The Israeli military spokesman said that since the ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah militia in late November, the army has gradually withdrawn most of its troops from the neighboring country. Responsibility for the evacuated areas will be transferred to the Lebanese army. According to the agreement, this is aimed at ensuring compliance with the ceasefire and preventing Hezbollah from returning to areas in southern Lebanon.
The towns where troops currently remain must also be finally surrendered, the spokesman added. He named four of the five points on Lebanese soil – they are located near the Israeli towns of Shlomi, Shtula, Avivim and the Lebanese hill of Jabal Blat. Otherwise, the withdrawal will be completed by Tuesday as agreed. “Tomorrow we will be at the defensive line,” he said.
According to Israel, the Lebanese army has not advanced fast enough. Hezbollah also did not withdraw behind the Litani River, about 30 kilometers north of the country's border, as agreed. The Lebanese army, in turn, accused Israel of several attacks on Lebanese territory. (A2 Televizion)
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