Israel will not remove troops from Lebanon within the term of the agreement

The Israeli government said on Friday (24) that it will not complete the removal of southern Lebanon until next Sunday (26), when it expires the two-month truce established with the terrorist group Hezbollah, due to the fact that the troops Lebanese are not yet mobilized in the area.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the agreement stipulates that Israel “should” hold its withdrawal within 60 days and claimed that such terminology was used under the understanding between the parts that the Israeli presence in southern Lebanon could extend beyond this period.

“The process of withdrawing Israel’s defense forces (FDI) is conditioned to the mobilization of the Lebanese armed forces in southern Lebanon and the effective implementation of the agreement, while Hezbollah retreats north of the Litani River,” added Netanyahu office .

“As Lebanon has not yet fully implemented the ceasefire agreement, the gradual withdrawal phase will continue in total coordination with the United States,” the statement added.

Shortly before, an Israeli official had anticipated the EFE agency that the Israeli government was arguing with its allies, in reference to the United States, the maintenance of its troops in Lebanese territory, as “Lebanese armed forces are not mobilized.” This same source has ensured that Israel wants to keep the ceasefire.

According to the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot, the Israeli government’s office decided at a meeting on Thursday night not to remove their troops until the Lebanese take over their positions, after the Hebrew press reported that Israel had asked states. United to extend their presence in the neighboring country for another 30 days.

During this extended period, Israel may continue to attack threats if it is considered that the Lebanese group is violating the agreement, as has done on other occasions since the ceasefire came into force.

The Israeli ambassador in Washington, Mike Herzog, told the Israeli army radio on Thursday that the date of withdrawal “is not defined” and is flexible, stating that this extension negotiated with the government of Donald Trump aims to allow the army Lebanese is fully mobilized in the south of the country.

The 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which includes the complete removal of the southern Israeli troops and the removal of Hezbollah from the Israeli border, expires on Sunday.

The agreement came into force in the early hours of October 27, after clashes that began on October 7, 2023 and an Israeli foray in southern Lebanon that began on October 1.