Israeli troops stay inside southern Lebanon as forces withdraw

Israel has pulled its forces from southern Lebanon apart from five positions, Lebanon’s state news agency says. Israel’s withdrawal is a key part of the ceasefire which ended a year-long conflict with Shia militant group Hezbollah.

Israeli ministers said some troops would remain inside Lebanon to protect Israel’s northern communities.

In response, Lebanon said Israel must withdraw completely. It said it would consider “the continued Israeli presence in any inch of Lebanese territory an occupation”.

The ceasefire requires Israel to withdraw and for Lebanon’s army to replace all armed groups south of the Litani River, about 30km (20 miles) north of Israel.

Hezbollah was the dominant force in the area for decades, but was heavily damaged in the conflict, the deadliest fought with Israel since the militant group was formed in 1982.

Lebanese authorities say more than 3,960 people – many of them civilians – were killed during the hostilities, and one million others were displaced from areas where Hezbollah had a strong presence.

Israeli authorities say more than 80 Israeli soldiers and 47 civilians were killed. About 60,000 citizens were displaced from northern Israel.

Most of those displaced in Lebanon have returned home, the UN says, while only a minority of those displaced in Israel have done so, according to reports.

The positions where Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops have been deployed are in mountainous terrain on the edge of the internationally recognised border between Lebanon and Israel.

On Tuesday Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the IDF was “temporarily remaining in five strategic high points”. He added that this was “necessary for our security”.

“Once Lebanon fully implements its side of the deal, there will be no need to hold these points,” he told a news conference in Jerusalem.

Lebanese soldiers moved into the areas vacated by Israeli troops and began clearing roadblocks and checking for unexploded ordnance, the Associated Press news agency reported on Tuesday.

It said some villagers pushed their way through to get back to their homes, many of which were blown up in the conflict.

“I am very happy I am going back even if I find my home destroyed,” said Atef Arabi, 36, who was returning to the village of Kfar Kila with his wife and two daughters. “If I find my house destroyed I will rebuild it.”

Israel’s withdrawal had been postponed from the original 60-day deadline – which fell on 26 January – stipulated in the ceasefire.

In a social-media post on Tuesday, Mr Katz said: “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]” – referring to the date when Palestinian Hamas gunmen carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza.

Hezbollah had launched its military campaign against Israel the following day, saying it was acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.