Israel to stay in Lebanon at 5 places beyond withdrawal deadline, Hezbollah threatens retaliation

Israel has said that its military is going to stay inside Lebanon at five places beyond the withdrawal deadline of Tuesday (February 18).

The Jerusalem Post has reported that Israel has is going keep five outposts in southern Lebanon that will be manned by several hundreds of soldiers for an indefinite period. There are also indications that the United States is onboard with this.

Under the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah negotiated by the United States and France , Israel was required to vacate Lebanon and move behind the Blue Line, the de facto border between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah was also required to vacate southern Lebanon and move north of the Litani river. The vacated area was to be occupied by the regular Lebanese military that was to enforce the truce.

However, Israel’s continued presence inside Lebanon has led to fears that the confict may resume. Hezbollah has already indicated that it may resume the fighting.

In November, the United States and France had negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that mandated Israeli and Hezbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 60 days. In January, the deadline was extended by three weeks that expires on Tuesday.

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Israel to have 5 outposts in Lebanon, keep 100s of soldiers

Israel will maintain five outposts inside Lebanon for an indefinite period, according to The Jerusalem Post.

Each post will be manned by a company of around 100-150 soldiers, as per the newspaper.

The newspaper reported that outposts will be located in on the Lebanese side of the border at the following locations: Labbouneh near Shlomi on the Israeli side; Ramyeh/Jabal Blat (Shtula); Blida, Bint Jbeil, and Maroun El Ras (Avivim); Wadi Saluki (Margaliot); and Al-Khiyam, Kfar Kila, Ayoun Valley, and Aamra (Metulla).

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Indicating that the United States is onboard with the plan, the newspaper reported that while such outposts were not included in the deal negotiated in November, “Israel convinced the US that the Lebanese Army is not effective enough –at present– to keep Hezbollah from entrenching in southern Lebanon and potentially trying to attack”.

In addition to outposts, the Israeli military is going to increase deployment on the Israeli side of the border by three times from pre-war level, according to the newspaper.

Sources told the newspaper that Israeli soldiers may remain inside Lebanon for two to eight months but even longer if needed.

Hezbollah issues threat

In a message carried by The New York Times, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem indicated that fighting may resume with continued Israeli presence inside Lebanon.

“Israel must withdraw completely on Feb. 18. This is the agreement. Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with,” said Qassem.

Throughout the ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged barbs and Israel has conducted airstrikes inside Lebanon. However, the two sides have not so far reverted to full-scale war. Whether full-scale fighting resumes remains to be seen.