Lebanese soldiers at the entrance of Houla, South Lebanon, on Feb. 17, 2025. (Credit: Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP)
BEIRUT — An Israeli military spokesperson said Monday that troops would remain at five strategic locations in southern Lebanon beyond the Feb. 18 deadline for full withdrawal. The announcement came hours after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun voiced his "fear" that Israel might not complete its withdrawal as required under the ceasefire terms.
The five locations where Israeli forces will stay include Hamames hill (Marjayoun district), Labouneh/Alma al-Shaab (Sour), Jabal Blat near Ramaya (Bint Jbeil), Jal al-Deir south of Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil), and a newly established position along the Markaba-Houla road (Marjayoun).
(Credit: Jaimee Lee Haddad)
"We must remain at these positions to protect Israeli citizens, ensure an orderly process, and transfer control to the Lebanese Army," Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani told reporters. He said the move was "in line" with the cease-fire agreement and that troops could stay "for months if necessary until it is clear there is no more Hezbollah activity south of the Litani [River]."
Israeli forces built embankments and carried out earthworks on Monday at Jabal Blat, according to our regional correspondent.
Earlier in the day, Aoun had expressed doubts about Israel’s intentions. "The Israeli enemy is not trustworthy, and we fear that the full withdrawal will not be accomplished tomorrow. The Lebanese response will be through a unified and inclusive national position," he said during a meeting in Baabda with a delegation from the writers' union. He stressed Lebanon’s commitment to a diplomatic solution, stating the "option of war does not work" and that the Lebanese Army was "ready to be deployed" in areas vacated by Israeli forces.
Hezbollah weapons: Internal matter to be resolved
Aoun also promised to intensify efforts, with the government, to find solutions aligning with his inaugural address. He reiterated his commitment to addressing Hezbollah's weapons, stating that the solution "will come within the framework ... agreed upon by the Lebanese."
He also stressed that reconstruction efforts are linked to reforms. "There will be no external aid without reforms," he said, ensuring that reconstruction will encompass all regions destroyed by Israel. "Any aid aimed at erasing the traces of war is welcome," he noted.
His remarks appeared to respond to a speech by Hezbollah’s secretary-general, Naim Qassem, who on Sunday urged the government to take a "firm and decisive" stance on Israel’s full withdrawal while also urging the state to address reconstruction efforts. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group that has played a dominant role in Lebanese politics, has seen its influence shaken by the war with Israel. Qassem also stressed that the state must lead reconstruction efforts, stating that "what Israel destroyed, it destroyed in the Lebanese state."
During his meeting with the writers’ union, Aoun dismissed fears of sectarian divisions and emphasized the unity of the Lebanese Army. "The army martyrs who fell against the Israeli enemy belong to all communities and come from all regions of the country," he said.
Call to the 'guarantors' of the truce
On Monday, the Lebanese government called on international mediators to push Israel to withdraw by Feb. 18, the new deadline set in the cease-fire agreement brokered by the U.S. and France in November. The deal, which took effect on Nov. 27 after two months of open war between Israel and Hezbollah, originally required Israeli forces to leave by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended.
"The guarantors of the agreement must take responsibility in assisting us," the Lebanese presidency said in a statement, adding that diplomatic contacts were ongoing "to push Israeli to respect the agreement, withdraw by the scheduled date, and release the detainees."
The Quintet's commitment
Earlier, Aoun met with ambassadors from the Quintet — France, the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt — who reiterated their support for Lebanon. Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa said the group was committed to pressing Israel for a full withdrawal by Tuesday and was maintaining contacts with all relevant parties.
The ambassadors of the Quintet also held talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail.
Israel launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon in late September last year and continues to occupy and conduct operations in parts of the region. Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were supposed to leave by Jan. 26, with only Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers remaining. Hezbollah, in turn, was required to dismantle its positions south of the Litani River.
Despite the agreement, Israeli forces have continued demolition operations near the border and airstrikes elsewhere in Lebanon. On Sunday, three Israeli airstrikes targeted sites in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA). On Monday, an Israeli drone strike on a car in Saida, the largest city in southern Lebanon and north of the Litani River, killed one person and injured several others. The Israeli military later claimed responsibility, stating that the strike had targeted senior Hamas military official, Mohammad Shahine.