Israel is set to begin its withdrawal from southern Lebanon on Tuesday, as an Israeli official confirmed to The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity. This pullout is in line with the terms of a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, which mandates the Israeli army to vacate southern Lebanon by a delayed deadline of February 18.

However, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer had previously stated that while the majority of Israeli forces will withdraw, the military intends to remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon. These areas are considered critical for ongoing security operations.

“We intend to leave and fulfill the agreement,” the Israeli official said. “Of course, enforcement will continue.”

“As you see, we just killed a senior Hamas official there in Lebanon—in Sidon, not in southern Lebanon. So we will continue with determined enforcement, and what happened before October 7 will not happen again," he added. 

The official also underscored that Israel would continue its operations to combat any threats posed by Hezbollah and other militant groups.

“We will attack every threat we see, and we will make sure that Hezbollah does not evade and does not receive funding from Iran… It just will not happen,” the official stated.