Israel withdrew its forces from southern Lebanon on Tuesday in accordance with the deadline agreed upon in a ceasefire deal with the Hezbollah terrorist army.
However, the IDF has retained the deployment of its forces in five key positions along Lebanon’s border with Israel – a situation that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
According to an Israeli security official, IDF troops will be “temporarily deployed” at the following five strategic points along the Lebanese border:
1. Hasullam mountain range – overlooking Shlomi
2. Hashaked mountain range – overlooking Avivim and Mallaqi’a
3. Hatzivoni mountain range – overlooking Saluq and Margaliot
4. Jabal Blat – overlooking Zarit, Nurit and Shtula
5. Hamamis – overlooking Har-Dov, Metula and the Valley communities.
Israeli forces will remain in the buffer zone as a means of protecting its communities in the north, and to act as a deterrent against future attacks from Hezbollah.
In addition, the IDF has beefed up its forces along the border together with additional outposts on the Israeli side of the border.
“The IDF will continue to enforce the ceasefire agreement, forcefully and uncompromisingly, against any violation by Hezbollah,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement announcing the withdrawal.
“Hezbollah must withdraw fully beyond the Litani Line and the Lebanese Army must enforce and disarm it under the supervision of the mechanism established under the leadership of the US,” Katz said.
“We are determined to provide full security to all northern communities in accordance with the principle established after October 7th – because only the IDF will ensure the security of communities in all sectors against any possible threat.”
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced Tuesday that its troops were deployed overnight in the villages of Aabbasiyyeh, Majidieh, Kafr Kila, Marjaayoun, Odaisseh, Markaba, Houla, Mays al-Jabal, Blida, Mahbib, Maroun al-Ras, Yaron, Bint Jbeil, and several other locations near the Israeli border.
The deployment is being carried out in coordination with a US-led committee supervising the ceasefire and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the LAF said.
UNIFIL head of mission and force commander LTG Aroldo Lazaro confirmed Tuesday in a joint statement with UNs Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert that Israeli forces had withdrawn from population centers in southern Lebanon.
“Today marks the end of the period set for the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces south of the Blue Line and the parallel Lebanese Armed Forces deployment to positions in southern Lebanon, as envisaged by the Cessation of Hostilities Understanding of 26 November 2024.
“Another delay in this process is not what we hoped would happen, not least because it continues a violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701 (2006). This should not, however, overshadow the tangible progress that has been made since the Understanding came into force in late November,” UNIFIL said.
“The Lebanese Armed Forces have deployed in challenging conditions, supporting the return of communities and working to restore critical services,” the UN observer force acknowledged.
“The new Lebanese president and government are determined to extend state authority completely in all areas in the south and consolidate stability to prevent conflict from returning to Lebanon. They deserve unwavering support in this endeavor,” UNIFIL said.
“Much of the hard work to realize the commitments made in the November Understanding, and in resolution 1701, is still ahead of us.”
The UN observer force urged “both parties to meet their obligations.”
