The extended deadline for the Israeli withdrawal of troops from Lebanon, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement, expired on Tuesday. Israel has reportedly pulled out most of its soldiers, but the IDF plans to maintain five posts in the border area, contrary to the original agreement.
According to Israeli media, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) still hold Labbouneh, Blat Hill, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh and Hammamis Hill, despite the withdrawal from all border villages.
A Lebanese security source confirmed to AFP that Israeli troops had pulled out of all border villages, but the five mentioned areas remained occupied. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced on Tuesday morning that they had deployed in several cities and villages from which the Israeli forces had withdrawn.
Israel justified the remaining presence at the five locations, stating that the Lebanese Army had not promptly followed up and thus did not meet its obligations.
The agreement stipulates that in the future, only the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL peacekeeping forces will remain in southern Lebanon. The Hezbollah is expected to withdraw from the northern border area, up to the Litani River, about 30 kilometers north of the state border and dismantle its military strongholds.
Until the start of the withdrawal on Monday evening, the Israeli occupying forces carried out large-scale demolitions and infrastructure destruction.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday. At the meeting, they reaffirmed “the unified national position of the Lebanese state and emphasized the need for a complete Israeli withdrawal” according to a presidential spokesperson.