Israel’s military will remain in Lebanon as ceasefire deadline nears

As the 60-day truce in southern Lebanon comes to an end on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that they will not be withdrawing their forces as originally planned. The ceasefire deal, agreed to in November, required Jerusalem to begin withdrawing troops from Lebanon within 60 days. However, Israeli officials have stated that the conditions of the agreement – including the removal of Hezbollah terrorists and weapons from the region, and the deployment of Lebanese and U.N. troops – have not been met.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement on Friday, emphasizing that the safety of Israeli communities and citizens is paramount. The withdrawal of Israeli forces is contingent on security guarantees from Hezbollah and Beirut, and the gradual withdrawal process will continue in coordination with the United States. The U.S. administration has expressed support for Israel’s decision, with President Trump committed to ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens while also backing the new Lebanese government.

Hezbollah has called on the Lebanese government and international partners to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, including the deployment of the Lebanese army to all Lebanese territory. The militant group urged against any delays or pretexts that would prolong the Israeli occupation.

The conflict in Lebanon has resulted in over 1.2 million people being displaced, following months of missile exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah. Positive movements have been noted in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army and UNIFIL taking the place of Hezbollah forces. However, Israeli officials have emphasized that more progress needs to be made in fulfilling the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

Reports suggest that Israel has requested a 30-day extension from the Trump administration to complete the withdrawal of its forces from Lebanon. While the White House, State Department, and Lebanese government have not yet commented on the matter, the situation remains fluid as both sides work towards a resolution.