Israel to keep troops in Lebanon despite Hezbollah withdrawal agreement
The Israeli army will keep soldiers in five different locations in southern Lebanon despite a deadline for a full withdrawal expiring on Tuesday.
The IDF says that its soldiers will be 'temporarily deployed' in mountain areas and ridges on the Lebanese side of the border, overlooking several villages and settlements on the Israeli side.
An IDF official said that Israel has withdrawn from all other areas in southern Lebanon and handed over control to the Lebanese army.
But Hezbollah has rejected Israel's continued presence in any part of southern Lebanon.
Naim Qassem, Hezbollah secretary general, said on Sunday: 'Israel must withdraw completely on Feb 18, it has no pretext, no five points or other details. This is the agreement,' adding that 'everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with'.
Last month, Lebanon, Israel and the United States agreed to extend Israeli forces' presence in south Lebanon until Feb 18 as the Lebanese army had not been deployed in all areas.
Israel has attacked Hezbollah positions numerous times since the ceasefire took effect on Nov 27 last year, saying the Lebanese terror group had violated the terms continuously.
Hezbollah, on its part, has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire by attacking positions in south Lebanon.
Immediate threats from Hezbollah
Under the agreement's terms, Israel is allowed to attack any immediate threats from Hezbollah as long as it is coordinated with the US and conveyed to the Lebanese government.
In the Sidon area on Monday, an Israeli airstrike killed Muhammad Shaheen, the head of Hamas's operations department in Lebanon.
'Shaheen was a significant source of knowledge within the terrorist organisation and was responsible throughout the war for various terror attacks, and rocket launches aimed at Israeli civilians,' the IDF said.
Israel has also accused Iran of smuggling money to Hezbollah via planes to Beirut, causing Lebanon to halt all flights from Iran fearing they could be shot down.
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