Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that Israeli troops will remain in five strategic positions in southern Lebanon, extending their stay beyond the agreed withdrawal deadline. He pledged to take decisive action against any violations by the militant group Hezbollah.
“The military will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon with five control positions and will continue to act forcefully and uncompromisingly against any Hezbollah violation,” Katz stated shortly after the extended deadline expired.
Under a truce deal brokered by the United States in November, Israel had agreed to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon within 60 days, following a ground offensive against Hezbollah that began in early October. The deadline was extended to February 18, but many anticipated that Israel would retain some military presence along the border.
The prolonged conflict has significantly impacted civilians. Tens of thousands of residents from northern Israel were displaced due to Hezbollah rocket attacks, while over a million people in Lebanon fled Israeli air strikes. These hostilities have unfolded alongside the ongoing conflict in Gaza, intensifying regional tensions.
Hezbollah warned on Sunday that any Israeli forces remaining in Lebanon after the deadline would be considered an occupying force. Israel previously occupied southern Lebanon for 22 years, withdrawing in 2000 after persistent attacks by Hezbollah, which was formed in 1982 to resist Israeli invasions.
In recent months, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in frequent exchanges of fire along the border. In September, Israel escalated its operations by targeting top Hezbollah leaders in air strikes and deploying ground troops into southern Lebanon.
