Source: Kataeb.org
Security & Justice
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Friday 24 January 2025 11:27:47
Israeli Military Likely to Remain in Southern Lebanon Beyond Ceasefire Deadline
With the January 26 deadline for the Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon fast approaching, media reports confirm that the Israeli army will not fully vacate the region by that date.
Israel's Channel 14 and Ynet reported that the Israeli security cabinet has decided to maintain the current troop deployment in southern Lebanon. While some progress has been made with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL taking control of Hezbollah positions, Israeli officials argue that further work is needed.
Under the ceasefire agreement signed in November, Israel is required to cede all positions in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces by January 26. However, Israeli officials have called for a 30-day extension, citing slow deployment by the Lebanese army and Hezbollah's ability to regroup in the meantime.
A senior Israeli official indicated that the security cabinet did not reach a conclusion during a meeting last night, leaving the matter unresolved.
A UN source told the UAE-based The National that a full Israeli withdrawal was likely to be delayed.
“Israeli forces are until now continuing their operations in Sector East,” the source said. “We expect the ceasefire to be prolonged as the mechanism took some time to get in place, around two to three weeks. The events that happened in Syria affected the deployment of the Lebanese army to the south.”
Israeli officials suggest that while an extension has not yet been granted, the Israeli army will likely maintain a presence in some areas of southern Lebanon. This would be done in coordination with the Trump administration, though the US has not yet approved the request. Talks between Israel and the US are still ongoing, with Israeli officials hopeful for an understanding.
The Walla news site reported that the US has not yet given its approval, and President Trump is reportedly less inclined to grant an extension than his predecessor, Joe Biden. Despite these challenges, Israel's outgoing ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached between the two governments.
