Israel to Keep Troops in Lebanon Despite Withdrawal Deadline/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Despite an agreed withdrawal deadline, Israel will maintain military positions in five key locations in southern Lebanon, an Israeli official confirmed. Lebanon’s government opposes any further delays, but there has been no immediate response from Hezbollah. Meanwhile, tensions remain high in Gaza as Israel and Hamas navigate a fragile ceasefire, while new Israeli settlement expansions in the West Bank spark fresh controversy.
Israel’s Military Presence in Lebanon: Quick Look
- Withdrawal Deadline: Israel was set to withdraw by Tuesday but will keep forces in five locations.
- Lebanese Response: Government officials reject any delay; Hezbollah has yet to comment.
- Gaza Ceasefire Status: The truce remains in effect but is set to expire in early March.
- West Bank Settlements: Israel announces nearly 1,000 new settler homes despite international opposition.
- Israeli Hostage Crisis: Families of captives call for an extended ceasefire to secure more releases.
- Trump’s Stance: U.S. administration supports Israeli policies, including settlement expansion.
- Recent Israeli Strike: Drone attack in Lebanon kills senior Hamas leader.
Israel to Keep Troops in Lebanon Despite Withdrawal Deadline
Deep Look: Israel Maintains Military Presence in Lebanon Beyond Deadline
Despite an official ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces will remain stationed in five key locations in southern Lebanon beyond Tuesday’s deadline for withdrawal, an Israeli official confirmed. The decision has raised tensions with Lebanon’s government, which has firmly opposed any delay. Hezbollah has yet to respond to the development, but the situation threatens to destabilize the fragile truce that ended months of cross-border clashes.
The announcement comes as Israel marks the 500th day since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which led to a full-scale war in Gaza and regional hostilities involving Hezbollah. While a ceasefire has paused direct fighting, Israel’s continued military actions—including airstrikes in Lebanon—have fueled uncertainty about whether long-term peace is possible.
Lebanon Rejects Israeli Military Presence
The ceasefire agreement had set a withdrawal deadline for late January, which was later extended to February 18. However, Israeli forces will maintain control over five strategic areas near the border, citing security concerns.
Lebanese officials have strongly opposed any further delay, insisting that Israel must honor the agreement. So far, Hezbollah has not issued an official statement, but the group has repeatedly warned that it would not tolerate a prolonged Israeli presence in Lebanese territory.
Adding to the volatility, an Israeli drone strike in the southern Lebanese city of Sidon on Monday killed Muhammad Shaheen, a senior Hamas official. The strike, the deepest into Lebanon since the ceasefire began, occurred near a Lebanese army checkpoint, prompting fears that fighting could escalate once again.
Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Negotiations
Meanwhile, in Gaza, a delicate ceasefire has been in place since last month, but its future remains uncertain. The first phase of the truce is set to expire in early March, and it is unclear whether it will be extended to facilitate further hostage exchanges or if Israel will resume its military offensive against Hamas.
Israeli forces have largely pulled back from much of Gaza, allowing increased humanitarian aid to enter the territory. However, negotiations for the release of remaining hostages have stalled. Hamas is still holding over 70 captives, approximately half of whom are believed to be dead.
Israeli protests on Monday called for an extension of the ceasefire to ensure more hostages are released. Demonstrators in Tel Aviv blocked roads, with some pledging to fast for 500 minutes in solidarity with those still in captivity.
One released hostage, Ohad Ben Ami, shared his experience, saying, “We didn’t count days in captivity, only minutes and seconds. My only wish is for my friends to come home.”
The Netanyahu government has given mixed signals about whether it supports extending the truce or renewing military action. Israeli officials maintain that their ultimate goal is to eliminate Hamas and secure the full return of hostages—two objectives that many analysts see as mutually exclusive.
Israeli Settlement Expansion in the West Bank
In another development, Israeli authorities have announced plans for nearly 1,000 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank. According to the watchdog group Peace Now, the expansion would increase the population of the Efrat settlement by 40% and further isolate the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.
The move is likely to face international condemnation, as settlement construction in occupied territories is widely regarded as a violation of international law. Palestinian leaders have long argued that continued Israeli expansion makes a two-state solution increasingly unfeasible.
Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Mideast war, and the presence of more than 500,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank remains a major obstacle to peace. Palestinians living in the region are under military rule, while settlers enjoy full Israeli citizenship and legal protections.
Peace Now accused the Netanyahu administration of using the ongoing war as a distraction to push through controversial settlement policies. “The Netanyahu government is operating ‘on steroids’ to establish facts on the ground that will destroy any chance for peace,” the group said in a statement.
Trump Administration Supports Israeli Policies
The latest settlement expansion comes amid renewed support from the Trump administration, which has historically backed Israeli construction in disputed territories. During Trump’s first term, the U.S. recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, signaling a strong pro-Israel stance.
While Democratic administrations have often criticized settlement expansion, they have rarely taken action to stop it. Now, with Trump back in office, Israeli officials are expected to face even fewer obstacles in pushing forward with controversial settlement plans.
Regional Impact and the Future of the Ceasefire
The recent developments in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank paint a complex picture of the region’s future.
- In Lebanon, Israel’s decision to maintain military positions raises concerns about a potential Hezbollah response.
- In Gaza, the fate of hostages and ongoing ceasefire negotiations remain uncertain.
- In the West Bank, settlement expansion threatens to deepen tensions with Palestinians and the broader international community.
As Israel, Lebanon, and Hamas navigate a fragile truce, all eyes will be on how the Netanyahu government balances military strategy with diplomatic pressure in the coming weeks.
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