Al-Akhbar: The IDF intends to unilaterally extend its stay in Lebanon

The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, reports that the Israeli side informed the commission monitoring compliance with the agreement in southern Lebanon that in the eastern sector the IDF will have to remain on Lebanese territory longer than the agreements provide for. We are talking about 30 days.

The Israeli troop withdrawal deadline expires on January 26. According to the publication, by this date the IDF will withdraw from the western and central sectors, but in the east the Israeli army intends to retain five strategic points. The publication emphasizes that Israel is trying to secure the consent of US President Donald Trump.

Informed sources say Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the US and France to put pressure on Israel to force the IDF to leave Lebanese territory by an agreed date. However, the head of the commission monitoring compliance with the agreement, American General Jasper Jeffers, told the Lebanese command that the destruction of Hezbollah’s infrastructure requires additional time.