Israel to Reportedly Maintain Key Defensive Positions in South Lebanon Beyond Withdrawal Date

Latest Developments

Israel To Maintain Troop Presence at Key Positions: Israel will reportedly maintain the IDF’s presence at five defensive posts in southern Lebanon beyond the deadline for withdrawal on February 18. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer said that the IDF will redeploy but keep troops at the five key positions until the Lebanese Armed Forces fulfill their obligations under the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. These include disarming the Iran-backed terrorist organization and dismantling its infrastructure south of the Litani River. Negotiations over the locations of the IDF’s five positions are ongoing after the original ceasefire deadline was extended by nearly a month from January 26.
United States, Lebanon, Reject Outright Extension: The United States did not comment on the IDF’s proposed defensive points, but U.S. Deputy Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said that the Trump administration still holds February 18 to be a “firm date” for the IDF’s complete withdrawal from Lebanon. Newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stressed “Lebanon’s insistence on the complete withdrawal of the Israeli enemy within the deadline set for February 18.”
IDF Continues Uncovering Hezbollah Infrastructure: As the February 18 deadline approaches, the IDF uncovered Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in southern Lebanon containing missiles, rockets, mortars, grenades, other explosives, and firearms. Additionally, multi-barrel rocket launchers aimed at Israel were unearthed. The IDF’s combat engineering unit demolished the weaponry using explosives.

FDD Expert Response

“It is an unmitigated mistake for the United States to pressure Israel to withdraw its forces from south Lebanon by February 18. While this date is an extension of the original withdrawal deadline, it nevertheless remains premature. Lebanon has yet to take any demonstrable action to disarm Hezbollah or secure its borders to prevent arms or funds from reaching the group. Those actions that have been taken have been — putting it generously — cosmetic or with Hezbollah’s consent. This suggests that Beirut agreed with Hezbollah that the terrorist organization would tactically pull back from south Lebanon with its most advanced weaponry to force an Israeli withdrawal out of the country, entrench the end of the war, and prevent Israel from resuming hostilities in response to Hezbollah’s violations of the ceasefire or Lebanon’s failure to implement its obligations.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“Despite hopes that a new president and prime minister might change Lebanon’s reality regarding Hezbollah, the Lebanese Armed Forces have yet to prove they can disarm the Iran-backed group and have only engaged in symbolic gestures to show compliance. To date, the only force that has proved itself capable of dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure in southern Lebanon and seizing its weapons has been Israel.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Research Analyst