In November, Israel inked a ceasefire deal with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, agreeing to withdraw from Lebanon by January 26. The deadline was later extended to February 18 and now Israel is mulling for a longer stay in the neighbouring country.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to keep the Israel Defence Forces in southern Lebanon for an extended period, hoping to get US President Donald Trump to back his decision.
Thank you President Trump for keeping your promise to give Israel the tools it needs to defend itself, to confront our common enemies and to secure a future of peace and prosperity"@realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/O8Bgzk8j1V
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 26, 2025
During the weekend, Trump's Middle East deputy special envoy Morgan Ortagus visited Israel and Lebanon to assess the ground situation. Ortagus who met IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi at the border said the US is committed to February 18 deadline, which is a "firm date".
This developement comes as Israel struck a tunnel in Beqaa Valley connecting Lebanon and Syria that Hezbollah reportedly used for smuggling weapons from Iran and Syria.
IDF also hit Hezbollah sites north of the Litani river, in violation of the ceasefire agreement. However, Israel said the targeted Hezbollah sites were themselves a violation of the truce deal and that the Lebanse army had failed to adhere to the ceasefire.
The Israeli occupation has stopped Lebanese citizens from entering their homes in border regions. IDF is present at five check points in Lebanon in a bid to stop Hezbollah from returning to the south.
On the Syrian side, the forces of the new regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa cracked down on smugglers linked to Hezbollah.
