Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that Israel might not withdraw all of its forces from Lebanon by the ceasefire deadline set with Hezbollah. The deal, reached in November, required Israel to complete its withdrawal by Sunday, with Hezbollah militants pulling back to the north of the Litani River, and Lebanese armed forces patrolling the buffer zone alongside U.N. peacekeepers. Netanyahu stated that the withdrawal process could possibly continue beyond the 60 days agreed upon, citing the Lebanese government’s failure to fully enforce the agreement, particularly in terms of deploying troops.
Israeli officials have been in talks with the United States, which, along with France, brokered the agreement. The Trump administration is in favor of a short, temporary ceasefire extension in Lebanon, with the goal of ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens returning to their homes in northern Israel, while also supporting the new Lebanese government. The U.S. spokesperson for the National Security Council emphasized the importance of preventing Hezbollah from threatening both the Lebanese people and their neighbors.
There has been no immediate response to Netanyahu’s statement from Lebanon or Hezbollah. The situation remains uncertain as to whether the ceasefire deadline will be extended and how the various parties involved will respond to potential delays in the withdrawal process.
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