Israeli troops stay inside southern Lebanon as forces withdraw

Israeli forces have withdrawn from towns and villages in southern Lebanon but remain stationed at five locations along the border. The Lebanese government has stated that this action violates the ceasefire agreement.

Tuesday marked the deadline for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon as part of the truce agreement that took effect last November. The agreement aimed to end the 13-month conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah. Brokered by the United States and France, the agreement also stipulated the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and weapons from southern Lebanon, with Lebanese soldiers deploying to the area, where Hezbollah has been dominant for decades.

However, just a day before, the Israeli military announced that its forces would continue to occupy five "strategic" hilltops until the Lebanese army fully fulfills its obligations under the agreement. It remains unclear how long they will stay. In response, Lebanon stated that Israel must withdraw completely, saying that "any continued Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, even an inch, will be considered an occupation."

Earlier on Tuesday, Lebanese soldiers entered areas vacated by Israeli troops, beginning to clear roadblocks and inspect for unexploded ordnance. Residents returning home traveled in convoys, waving yellow Hezbollah flags and holding portraits of the group's late leader, Hassan Nasrallah. In Kfar Kila, immediately adjacent to the Israeli border, nearly all buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged. Families searched through the rubble for personal belongings, but there was little to salvage. "Our house was destroyed like all the other houses," said 25-year-old Safaa Jouma, whose brother was a fighter killed in the war. "We couldn't save anything. The house was razed to the ground."

The ceasefire agreement required Israel to withdraw its forces and called for the Lebanese army to replace all armed groups south of the Litani River, which is about 30 kilometers from Israel. Israel's withdrawal has been delayed beyond the original deadline of 60 days from the ceasefire agreement, which was January 26. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops are positioned in mountainous terrain on the edge of the internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the IDF's "temporary presence on five strategic high grounds" was "necessary for our security." Sa'ar said, "The IDF's enforcement activities against Hezbollah will continue in full force. We will not allow a return to the reality of October 7, 2023," referring to the date of the unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza by Palestinian Hamas militants. Hezbollah launched military operations against Israel the following day, stating its actions were in solidarity with the Palestinians.

The group suffered heavy losses in the conflict, the deadliest clash with Israel since the armed group's inception in 1982. Lebanese authorities have stated that over 3,960 people, many of them civilians, were killed in the hostilities, and another one million were displaced from areas where Hezbollah holds strong influence. Israeli authorities have stated that over 80 Israeli soldiers and 47 civilians were killed. Approximately 60,000 citizens were displaced from northern Israel. The UN has said that most of the displaced people within Lebanon have returned to their homes, while only a small number of displaced people within Israel have reportedly returned.