The Israeli army has maintained its occupation of at least five key locations in southern Lebanon after completing the withdrawal of most of its troops from the south early on 18 February.
Israeli forces continue to occupy Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill.
According to AlJadeed’s correspondent, the “number of points from which Israeli occupation forces have not withdrawn has risen to seven, with its forces remaining on the international border road extending from Odaisseh to the entrance to Kfar Kila, along the border wall, and its positioning in the Batishiyeh area on the outskirts of Dhuhayrah, near the Al-Jardah site.”
The Israeli army has not yet confirmed the withdrawal. A Lebanese security source confirmed to AFP that Israeli troops withdrew from all border villages but continue to occupy the five locations.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced on Tuesday morning their deployment in several towns and villages from which Israeli forces withdrew, including Maroun al-Ras, Odaisseh, Markaba, Houla, Mays al-Jabal, Blida, Mahbib, Yaroun, and other areas south of the Litani River.
The LAF said it was working to deal with unexploded ordnance and “suspicious objects” and stressed the “necessity for citizens to adhere to the directives of the military units deployed in the southern regions, to allow for the completion of the aforementioned work as quickly as possible, and to preserve their lives and safety.”
Lebanese citizens have begun returning to their homes and villages in Maroun al-Ras and elsewhere, which have been ravaged by Israeli troops. While some residents waited for the Lebanese army’s permission to enter, others pushed past roadblocks to check on their villages.
Occupation forces carried out large-scale detonations and destruction of infrastructure right up until the withdrawals began on Monday evening.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in Baabda on 18 February.
They affirmed during the meeting “the unified national position of the Lebanese state, stressing the need for a complete Israeli withdrawal,” according to a spokesperson for the presidency.
"Israel's presence in five locations in Lebanon is considered an occupation. Lebanon will go to the UN Security Council to address the Israeli violations,” Aoun was further quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Israel has promised to continue attacking Lebanon.
“Starting today, the IDF will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon in five strategic outposts and will continue to enforce [the deal] forcefully and without compromise against any violation by Hezbollah,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.
“Hezbollah must withdraw fully beyond the Litani River line and the Lebanese army must enforce and disarm it under the supervision of the mechanism established under the leadership of the US,” he added.
The ceasefire agreement, signed by Lebanon in late November last year, mandates the dismantling of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in the southern Litani area but does not require the group’s complete disarmament.
Aoun stressed on Monday that Hezbollah’s weapons are a Lebanese issue that will be addressed internally.