Israel has maintained a limited military presence in southern Lebanon beyond the agreed-upon withdrawal deadline, citing security concerns and the need to protect its northern communities. According to Israeli military officials, the troops stationed at key strategic locations are necessary to prevent potential threats from Hezbollah and to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens in border regions.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), confirmed on Monday that Israeli forces would continue to hold certain outposts in Lebanon. "We must ensure there is no immediate danger to our citizens," he stated. These positions, located in elevated areas overlooking northern Israel, offer a tactical advantage in monitoring Hezbollah activity.
Reports indicate that Israeli forces have pulled back from Lebanese towns and villages in recent days but have retained control over specific military positions. Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces have increased their presence in parts of southern Lebanon, deploying personnel to various locations to assert control over the region.
Despite Israel’s continued military presence, Hezbollah has not launched an immediate response. The group's media outlet, Al Manar TV, described the situation in southern Lebanon as one of victory, stating that the region had been reclaimed through the sacrifices of its fighters.
The ongoing tensions stem from a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated following the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched a series of attacks on northern Israel in support of Hamas, prompting retaliatory strikes by the IDF. A year-long period of clashes culminated in an Israeli military campaign last fall that displaced over a million Lebanese civilians.
A ceasefire, brokered with the involvement of the United States, came into effect in November. Israel was initially expected to withdraw from Lebanon by mid-January, but the deadline was extended to February 18 following discussions with international mediators.
Lebanese officials have strongly opposed Israel’s decision to keep troops in the region past the deadline. Nabih Berri, the speaker of Lebanon’s parliament, stated that he was informed of Israel’s plans by the U.S. government and rejected any extension of the withdrawal timeline.
"I refused to discuss any delay in Israel’s withdrawal," Berri said, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency. "The responsibility falls on the Americans to ensure compliance." He warned that Israel's continued presence would be seen as an act of aggression.
Israel, however, has argued that Lebanon has failed to uphold its obligations under the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli government has accused the Lebanese Armed Forces of not properly deploying south of the Litani River, a region from which both Israel and Hezbollah were supposed to withdraw.
Despite the ceasefire, Israel has carried out airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, claiming that the group continues to operate military sites in violation of the agreement. The IDF has also engaged in widespread destruction of buildings and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, asserting that these actions are necessary to dismantle Hezbollah's operational capabilities.
The ongoing military actions have left many Lebanese towns in ruins, further complicating efforts to stabilize the region. Tens of thousands of Israelis who were evacuated from the north of the country following Hezbollah’s attacks have yet to return, as security concerns persist.
The United Nations, the United States, and France have been involved in mediating the ceasefire and monitoring compliance. However, their stance on Israel’s delayed withdrawal has remained ambiguous. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers of the U.S. military stated on Friday that the Lebanese Armed Forces were expected to assume control of all major population centers south of the Litani River by the following week.
In response to Israel’s continued presence, Hezbollah’s newly appointed leader, Naim Qassem, delivered a strong message urging Lebanon’s government to take a firm stance. Qassem took over leadership of the group following the assassination of his predecessor, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last September.
"There are no excuses for Israel’s failure to withdraw," Qassem said in a televised address. "The Lebanese state must make it clear that any continued occupation is a violation of the agreement."
France has proposed deploying additional United Nations peacekeeping forces to replace Israeli troops at key locations in Lebanon. According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, this measure is intended to facilitate Israel’s withdrawal and prevent further escalation.
As tensions simmer, the future of the ceasefire remains uncertain. While diplomatic efforts continue, the situation on the ground suggests that the risk of renewed hostilities remains high.
