TEL AVIV: Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon’s five strategic sites including Jabal Blat and Khamamis, after pulling out from the...
TEL AVIV: Israeli troops will stay in southern Lebanon’s five strategic sites including Jabal Blat and Khamamis, after pulling out from the rest of the country, a military source told TASS.
"Here are the five strategic locations along the Lebanese border where the Israel Defense Forces will be temporarily stationed: the Hasullam mountain range overlooking [the Israeli settlement of] Shlomi; the Hashaked mountain range overlooking [the Israeli settlements of] Avivim and Mallaqi’a; the Hatzivoni mountain range overlooking [the Israeli settlement of] Saluq and Margaliot; Jabal Blat overlooking [the Israeli settlement of] Zarit, Nurit and Shtula; Hamamis overlooking Mount Dov and Metula," he said.
IDF spokesman Nadav Shoshani said at a news conference that given the current situation Israeli troops will "temporarily leave a small number of troops at five strategic points along the Lebanese border" to ensure that there is no immediate threat to Israeli population centers.
The Ynet news website reported earlier on Monday that Israeli troops will withdraw from southern Lebanon within the next 24 hours as part of the ceasefire agreement, except for five strategic sites. According to Kan radio, the Israel Defense Forces will stay at the five locations indefinitely to prevent Hezbollah from restarting activities in southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire of November 27 that was brokered by the US and France stipulated that the Lebanese armed forces would deploy along the entire southern border with the support of UN peacekeepers, while Hezbollah would pull back beyond the Litani River. Israel was given 60 days to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, where they conducted a ground operation. On January 27, the White House announced that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the deadline for Israeli troops to leave Lebanese territory until February 18.
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