**Israeli Forces Extend Presence in Southern Lebanon Post-Withdrawal Deadline**

Tension rises as Israeli Defense Forces remain stationed on strategic hilltops, defying Lebanese government calls for full withdrawal.

After the deadline for Israeli withdrawal expired, Israeli forces have officially vacated several towns in southern Lebanon but continue to occupy five strategic locations along the border, prompting the Lebanese government to protest the ongoing presence as a breach of the ceasefire. The truce, established in November, ended a protracted conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which had lasted over a year.

Israeli officials indicated the troops would stay put until Lebanese forces honor their commitments under the agreement, including dismantling Hezbollah weapons and reintegrating military authority in the region. Lebanese authorities have argued that any remaining Israeli troops constitute an occupation, asserting their intention to enforce complete withdrawal.

During this transitional period, Lebanese military personnel have accessed areas left by Israeli forces, focusing on eliminating remnants of conflict such as roadblocks and unexploded ordnance. As residents return to assess the damage, the devastation is palpable; residential structures lay in ruins, with individuals recounting loss and destruction amid the referendum of Hezbollah’s lingering influence, evidenced by returning villagers waving the group's flags and iconography.

Despite previous deadlines being extended, the Israeli government, through Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, has justified their continued presence as essential for national security against the backdrop of Hezbollah’s past aggression. The ongoing enforcement against Hezbollah is positioned as a necessary precaution, given recent escalation in regional conflict sparked by attacks from Palestinian groups.

The situation remains volatile as more than three thousand civilians in Lebanon were killed in this latest clash, with widespread displacement echoing the humanitarian crises experienced by both nations during the hostilities. The UN has reported a gradual return of Lebanese civilians, while many in Israel remain unsettled and displaced, complicating efforts towards lasting peace and a return to normalcy.