Israel Keeps Troops in Southern Lebanon, Beirut Threatens with Occupation

Despite a peace agreement reached in November, Israel has decided to maintain its military presence in five regions of Southern Lebanon, sparking a strong reaction from Beirut. The Lebanese authorities have declared that they will consider any Israeli military presence on their territory as an occupation, emphasizing their right to use all available means to restore sovereignty, reports NewsBox.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, signed on November 27th, was supposed to put an end to the conflict. According to the terms, Israel was obligated to withdraw its forces from the southern part of Lebanon within 60 days, a deadline that expired on February 18th. In turn, Hezbollah militants were also supposed to leave the area, making way for Lebanese forces, writes BBC.

“We are committed to the ceasefire agreement. We believe it is a positive process,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a representative of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), emphasizing that maintaining a military presence is necessary to ensure the security of Israel's northern borders.

IDF representatives assert that maintaining troops at outposts allows them "to verify there is no immediate threat" to Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have withdrawn from Lebanese settlements, and Lebanon has announced the redeployment of its forces to the southern part of the country.

It is reported that the United States has approved Israel's decision to maintain a military presence in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon, offering a view of northern Israeli settlements. The duration of the Israeli troops’ stay at these positions remains uncertain.

Israel accuses the Lebanese government of failing to fulfill the terms of the ceasefire agreement, particularly in the insufficient deployment of troops south of the Litani River – an area supposed to be vacated by both Israel and Hezbollah.

Lebanese leaders have expressed strong disagreement with Israel's plans. A representative of the Lebanese president stated that Lebanon will regard any remaining Israeli presence on its land as an occupation and reserves the right to any actions to defend its sovereignty. Lebanon intends to appeal to the UN Security Council for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops.

“I refused to discuss any deadlines for extending the troop withdrawal period,” declared Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri, emphasizing that the responsibility for the withdrawal lies with the American side.

Berri also warned that the continued Israeli presence in Southern Lebanon would mean "Israelis will practice freedom of movement and aggression in Lebanon, which is unacceptable."

Since October 8, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel, there have been almost daily skirmishes on the border between Israel and Lebanon between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah militants. At the end of September, Israel launched a ground operation against Hezbollah, culminating in the signing of an agreement in November.

According to Lebanese authorities, since October 2023, at least 3,823 people have died in the country, most of whom became victims of the recent weeks of escalated conflict. On the Israeli side, according to official figures, at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians have died. Around 60,000 Israelis have left their homes in the north of the country, and only a few have returned to border towns affected by rocket attacks.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah announced war on Israel and ordered attacks until Israeli troops leave the Gaza Strip.

Hassan Nasrallah was killed on September 28th as a result of an Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut. The new leader of the group was appointed Naim Qassem.

The situation on the border between Israel and Lebanon remains extremely tense, and the prospects for further developments are causing serious concern.