TEL AVIV—The Israeli military confirmed on Monday that it will maintain a buffer zone in southern Lebanon beyond the deadline to withdraw on Tuesday.
Israeli troops will remain deployed to recently built posts at five strategic locations along the Lebanese side of Israel’s northern border. Israel will otherwise withdraw from Lebanon by the Tuesday deadline, which was extended from Jan. 26 under a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani emphasized in a briefing on Monday that the buffer zone is a "temporary measure" meant to protect Israeli border communities "until the Lebanese Armed Forces are able to fully implement the understandings" of the ceasefire.
"We need to remain at those points at the moment to defend Israeli citizens, to make sure this process is complete and eventually hand it over to the Lebanese Armed Forces," Shoshani said, echoing comments last week by Ron Dermer, Israel’s strategic affairs minister. "We will not allow Hezbollah to rearm and to pose a threat on Israeli civilians again."
The five military posts are part of an Israeli plan, first reported last month by the Washington Free Beacon, to indefinitely hold buffer zones in Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip following the Jewish state’s ongoing multifront war with Iran and its terrorist affiliates.
The posts overlook the evacuated Israeli communities of Shlomi in the Western Galilee; Zarit, Nurit, Shtula, Avivim, and Malkiya in the Upper Galilee; and Saluq, Margaliot, and Metula in the Galilee panhandle, according to the military.
Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration had authorized a "long term" Israeli troop presence in southern Lebanon. But Lebanese and Hezbollah officials rejected the idea. Hezbollah secretary general Naim Qassem said any Israeli presence in Lebanon beyond the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline would be considered an occupying force.
"Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with," he said.