Israel will withdraw from Lebanon according to US envoy
The Israeli military has stated it will withdraw entirely from southern Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera on January 6th.
This comes despite recent reports that Israel plans to maintain a permanent presence in Lebanon.
The statement on January 6th came whilst Israel was withdrawing from Naqoura in the western sector of the border.
The Lebanese army has been deployed in the area.
“The Israeli military started its withdrawal from Naqoura, most of the western sector and back into Israel proper today, south of the Blue Line,” United States envoy Amos Hochstein said.
“These withdrawals will continue until all Israeli forces are out of Lebanon completely.”
However, Hochstein has not specified an exact timeline for Israel`s withdrawal from the country.
A ceasefire agreement was reached in November between Israel and Hezbollah. This agreement states that Israeli forces must be out of Lebanon by January 26th.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated after his meeting with Hochstein on January 6th that delaying the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon will be “strongly rejected.”
At the same time, the United Nations has reiterated the need for a “timely” Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
In violation of the ceasefire, the Israeli military continues to conduct near-daily attacks in Lebanon.
These attacks include air strikes across the country, ground advances and the destruction of homes in areas under Israel control.
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Despite the Israeli attacks, Hezbollah has held their fire since the agreement came into effect.
The only exception being a single “warning attack” against an Israeli base in December 2024.
Hezbollah officials have stated they have not been retaliating as they will be allowing space for the Lebanese government to address the Israeli ceasefire violations through diplomatic channels.
Despite this, the Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has warned on January 4th that if tested past the 60-day period, or if pushed too far before the 26th, the group may retaliate.
“When we decide to do something, you will see it directly,” Qassem stated.
On January 5th, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has stated that the country will be “forced to act” if Hezbollah does not leave the border.
Despite these tensions, Hochstein holds that the fragile ceasefire remains. “This process is not smooth, but it is successful,” he stated.
Al Jazeera
