Israel has declined France’s proposal to expedite its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, preferring to maintain military presence in key areas. The US supports Israel’s extended presence, while Lebanon has dismissed claims of an agreed extension. Tensions persist as the Lebanese Armed Forces are expected to assume control, amid unresolved issues tied to Hezbollah’s presence in the region.
Israel has formally rejected a French proposal to accelerate the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, which aimed to replace them with UNIFIL and French military personnel. This decision comes as the deadline for withdrawal approaches, with reports indicating that Israel intends to maintain its military presence in five strategic locations within the region. According to the Jerusalem Post, Israel chooses to remain in these critical areas despite the looming deadline of February 18.
The backing of the United States for a prolonged Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon has garnered attention, with recent developments suggesting that Israel has requested an extension to its withdrawal deadline, pushing it to February 28. Meanwhile, a Saudi media report asserted that an agreement had been reached among Israel, the US, and Lebanon for an extension; however, this claim was categorically denied by Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun.
President Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s strong opposition to any extension of the Israeli presence, disputing the assertions presented by the Saudi media outlet. The Lebanese government, according to reports from Al-Akhbar, has also dismissed the French proposal and opposed any changes to the UNIFIL mandate, which is in place to support stability in the region.
Israeli sources indicate a determination to secure a buffer zone by retaining its military presence at five border points. Reports have emerged suggesting that Israel has requested further support from the United States to facilitate this extension. Additionally, a recent tripartite meeting in Naqoura focused on the military transition of control over the Southern Litani Area to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Major General Jasper Jeffers, co-chair of the US Mechanism overseeing ceasefire agreements, expressed confidence in the ability of the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume full control over local population centers before the approaching deadline. He emphasized the commitment to assist in the continued implementation of the ceasefire arrangements, despite the complex nature of the agreements derived from UN Resolution 1701.
The ceasefire agreement mandated significant reductions in Hezbollah’s presence south of the Litani River within a specified timeframe, which has since expired. Israeli claims point to non-compliance by the Lebanese Army, thereby leading to requests for deadline extensions. Compounding these tensions, reports of civilian casualties during the recent conflict highlight the precarious nature of the situation in the region.
In summary, Israel rejects France’s proposal to expedite its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, emphasizing its intention to retain a military presence in strategic locations. Lebanese officials have denied claims of an agreement for an extension of Israeli forces in the region. The continuing discussions about military presence and the adequacy of security arrangements reflect the complex dynamics of Israeli-Lebanese relations, particularly concerning Hezbollah’s activities. The ongoing implementation of the ceasefire agreement remains uncertain as regional tensions evolve.
Original Source: thecradle.co
