Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) will not fully withdraw from Lebanon, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday. Instead, Israeli soldiers will remain at five strategic points along the border.
In November, a ceasefire agreement had been reached, calling for a complete IDF withdrawal in exchange for the Lebanese Army taking control of all Hezbollah strongholds in the south and disarming the group. However, Israel is now dissatisfied with the progress of the Lebanese Army.
A spokesperson for the Lebanese President criticized the Israeli government’s move, stating that any remaining Israeli military presence will be seen as an occupation. The United Nations also expressed criticism. “The withdrawal of Israeli defense forces from Lebanon’s sovereign territory and the simultaneous deployment of the Lebanese armed forces in the entire south of Lebanon within the agreed timeframe is now of crucial importance” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.
Guterres is convinced that Israeli troops will fully withdraw. “I am confident that the entire international community will not accept a breach of this agreement. Everyone wants peace in Lebanon and no one will accept a resumption of the war in Lebanon.”
The UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and the head of the UN observer mission, Unifil, General Lieutenant Aroldo Lázaro, warned of further delays. “We appeal to both parties to fulfill their commitments” they stated in a joint statement. “A sense of security for the population in southern Lebanon, who have been struggling with the far-reaching destruction of their villages and cities, as well as for the residents of northern Israel, who have had to leave their homes, will not be achieved overnight and cannot be achieved through a continuation of military operations. Rather, a sustained political engagement is the only way forward.