The Israeli military will completely withdraw from southern Lebanon, US envoy Amos Hochstein said, despite recent reports that Israel plans to maintain a permanent presence in the country.
Hochstein’s statement Monday comes as Israel withdraws its forces from Naqoura, in the western sector of the border, with the deployment of the Lebanese army in the area.
“The Israeli army today began its withdrawal from Naqoura, most of the western sector, and its return to Israel proper, south of the Blue Line,” Hochstein told reporters in Beirut, referring to the unofficial border between the two countries.
“These withdrawals will continue until all Israeli forces are completely out of Lebanon. »
However, the US official did not specify a timetable for the Israeli withdrawal.
A November ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah stipulates that Israeli forces must leave Lebanon within 60 days, by January 26.
But Israeli media suggested that the Israeli military had no intention of meeting the deadline.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement after meeting with Hochstein on Monday that delaying Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon was “firmly rejected.”
Last week, the United Nations reiterated its call for a “timely” Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
The Israeli military carries out near-daily attacks in Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire, including airstrikes across the country, ground advances and the destruction of homes in areas under its control.
Israel says it is implementing the agreement, which stipulates that Hezbollah must withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 km (19 miles) from the Israeli border.
Despite Israeli attacks, Hezbollah has held its fire since the deal took effect, except for a single “warning attack” on an Israeli base last month.
Hezbollah officials said they were giving the Lebanese government space to respond to Israeli violations through diplomatic channels and the U.S.-led “mechanism” to monitor the deal.
But Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned on Saturday that the group’s patience could run out before or after the 60-day period. “When we decide to do something, you will see it directly,” Qassem said in a televised speech.
Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military positions after the outbreak of the 15-month war on Gaza, in a campaign it said was aimed at pressuring Israel to end its offensive against the besieged enclave.
After nearly a year of low-intensity cross-border hostilities, Israel launched an all-out war in Lebanon, killing thousands and destroying large parts of the country.
During its attack, Israel dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah, assassinating several of its senior military and political officials, including its powerful leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The Israeli military also claimed to have destroyed most of the group’s rocket arsenal.
However, Hezbollah claimed victory after the war, saying it had halted Israel’s land advance and inflicted heavy damage on invading soldiers. The Lebanese group also continued to fire rockets and drones at Israel throughout the conflict.
On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the country would be “forced to act” if Hezbollah did not move away from the border.
But Hochstein suggested the fragile ceasefire was holding. “This process is not going smoothly, but it is successful,” he said Monday.
The Lebanese army confirmed its deployment to Naqoura on Monday, but the municipality urged residents not to return to the town until the green light from authorities after opening roads and clearing unexploded ordnance.