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.<\/p>\n
Israeli ministers said some troops would remain inside Lebanon to protect Israel’s northern communities.<\/p>\n
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”.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Israeli authorities say more than 80 Israeli soldiers and 47 civilians were killed. About 60,000 citizens were displaced from northern Israel. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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”. <\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It said some villagers pushed their way through to get back to their homes, many of which were blown up in the conflict.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Israel’s withdrawal had been postponed from the original 60-day deadline – which fell on 26 January – stipulated in the ceasefire.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hezbollah had launched its military campaign against Israel the following day, saying it was acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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