Israel has officially withdrawn its forces from southern Lebanon, with the exception of five strategic positions, according to reports from Lebanon’s state news agency. This withdrawal is a crucial element of the ceasefire agreement that brought an end to a year-long conflict with the Shia militant group Hezbollah.
Troop presence justified by Israeli officials
Israeli officials have indicated that a small contingent of troops will remain in Lebanon to safeguard the northern communities of Israel. UN officials have characterized this partial withdrawal as a “delay” in the ceasefire’s implementation, expressing disappointment over the situation. Lebanon’s government has also voiced its concerns regarding this development.
The ceasefire agreement stipulates that Israel must fully withdraw its forces while the Lebanese army is tasked with replacing all armed groups south of the Litani River, located approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Israel. Historically, Hezbollah has been the predominant force in this region for decades, but the group encountered significant losses during the recent conflict, which has been described as the deadliest confrontation with Israel since its establishment in 1982.
Impact of the conflict on both nations
Lebanese authorities report that over 3,960 individuals, many of whom were civilians, lost their lives during the hostilities, with around one million displaced from regions where Hezbollah had a stronghold. In contrast, Israeli officials have confirmed that more than 80 soldiers and 47 civilians were killed, with approximately 60,000 people displaced from northern Israel. While the United Nations indicates that most displaced individuals in Lebanon have returned home, a significant number of those displaced in Israel have not.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have established their positions in mountainous terrain along the internationally recognized border between Lebanon and Israel. On Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the IDF’s presence in these five strategic locations is a temporary measure deemed necessary for national security. “Once Lebanon fully implements its side of the deal, there will be no need to hold these points,” Saar remarked during a news conference in Jerusalem.
“Israel must withdraw completely,” stated a Lebanese government representative, emphasizing that any ongoing Israeli presence on Lebanese territory would be regarded as an occupation.
In a joint statement, the UN special coordinator for Lebanon and the head of UN peacekeeping forces underscored that any delays in finalizing the ceasefire arrangements constitute a breach of the UN Security Council resolution that underpins the ceasefire. However, they acknowledged that “this should not overshadow the tangible progress that has been made” since the ceasefire took effect at the end of November.
As part of the transition, Lebanese forces have begun entering areas previously occupied by Israeli troops, clearing roadblocks and searching for unexploded ordnance, as reported by the Associated Press. The BBC’s Carine Torbey, reporting from Maroun al-Ras, noted the extensive destruction in the area, with numerous piles of rubble lining the rugged roads where the Israeli army conducted bulldozing operations. One woman expressed her sorrow, stating, “We are back but our loved ones aren’t returning,” as she searched for her son among the debris.
Israel’s withdrawal had been delayed past the initial 60-day deadline that was set to expire on January 26. In a recent social media update, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed, “The IDF’s enforcement activities against Hezbollah will continue at full strength. We will not allow a return to the reality of 7 October [2023],” referencing the unprecedented attack by Palestinian Hamas militants from Gaza that occurred on that date, which prompted Hezbollah to launch its military campaign against Israel.