Israel partially withdrawing troops from Lebanon as deadline expires

As a result of a fragile ceasefire agreement, Israel is removing its forces from southern Lebanon.

Tuesday morning, the Israeli military resumed its second day of a pullback. Israel has stated it will remain in five strategic locations, warning that it is ready to resume hostilities, despite the fact that the majority of its forces will follow the revised deadline set out in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

As Israel leaves, Lebanon’s army, which according to the agreement should be stationed in every region of the country on Tuesday morning, reported being present in about a dozen villages and border regions.

Nadav Shoshani, a spokesman for the Israeli military, confirmed that northern Israel’s five hilltop locations will remain open and safe for visitors.

He claimed the “temporary measure” was approved by the United States-led body monitoring the ceasefire.

Joseph Aoun, the leader of Lebanon, expressed concern that a full withdrawal would not be completed by the deadline, claiming that “the Israeli enemy cannot be trusted.”

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Sunday “there can be no excuses” for any delay in the withdrawal.

However, Israel’s Minister of Defense Israel Katz confirmed on Tuesday that the five locations will be maintained and warned of action against any “violation” by Hezbollah.

Following months of hostilities and war across borders, the Iran-linked Lebanese organization responded to Israel’s occupation of northern Israel with rocket attacks that were met with Israeli fire in November.

The Ministry of Public Health reported that Israel then launched an airstrike and bombardments that claimed the lives of more than 4, 000 people in Lebanon.

Under the deal, brokered by the United States and France, Lebanon’s military was to deploy in the south of the country alongside United Nations peacekeepers, as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period.

Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30km (18.6 miles) from the border, and dismantle its remaining military infrastructure there.

The Israeli withdrawal date from January 1 was changed to February 18 as a replacement.

However, on Monday, Israel’s military announced that it would maintain the five locations along the border to “continue to defend our residents and to make sure there’s no immediate threat”.

Fragile deal

The flimsy ceasefire agreement is more ambiguous because Israel’s refusal to withdraw all of its forces.

In contravention of the ceasefire’s terms, Israel has carried out sporadic attacks that it claims target Hezbollah forces. The Lebanese organization has refuted accusations made of it.

Between November 27 and January 10, Israel conducted 330 air raids and shellings, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project, and 260 property destructions.

Authorities estimate reconstruction costs could reach more than $10bn, while some 100, 000 people remain internally displaced, according to UN figures.

On Monday, the Lebanoni authorities rebuffed any request to extend the withdrawal period and pleaded with Israel’s signatories to put pressure on the deal’s backers.