Israel Requests Further Delay for Troop Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon

An Israeli diplomatic source has indicated that Israel is seeking to prolong its military presence in southern Lebanon, requesting an additional 10-day extension beyond the upcoming withdrawal deadline initially set for next week. This request raises concerns in Lebanon, which has a fraught history with Israeli occupation. The ceasefire brokered by the US and France, which brought an end to over a year of conflict, necessitates Israel's withdrawal alongside disarming Hezbollah. The Israeli military aims to stay at five positions in the region until February 28, according to reports. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials have countered that there is no agreement to extend the deadline and insist on a full withdrawal. Tensions remain high as Israeli airstrikes continue against Hezbollah, with fears of destabilizing the region as a result of delays in fulfilling ceasefire obligations.

Israel is seeking an extension for its troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, requesting a delay of an additional 10 days despite the initial deadline approaching. A diplomatic source has indicated that Israeli forces may stay in five locations until the end of February, igniting concerns in Lebanon over the potential for continued occupation. The ceasefire deal—brokered to conclude a lengthy conflict with Hezbollah—mandates military withdrawals on both sides, but Lebanon asserts that such extensions are unacceptable. As Israeli air operations persist against Hezbollah locations, tensions are rising amidst a backdrop of calls for restored sovereignty from the Lebanese government.