Latest news: How long will Israel remain in southern Lebanon?
Israeli Channel 13 reported that Israel wants to remain in some locations in southern Lebanon indefinitely.
The channel said that the Israeli political leadership announced – in a meeting held by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – its desire to maintain an Israeli presence in locations in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media had previously revealed Israel’s desire to remain in southern Lebanon, as the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said, yesterday, Saturday, that Tel Aviv is expected to inform Washington that it will not withdraw from Lebanon after the 60-day deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement. The fire between Israel and Hezbollah, which entered into force on November 27.
Also, Haaretz newspaper confirmed at the end of last December that the Israeli army is already planning to potentially remain in southern Lebanon after the expiry of the deadline stipulated in the agreement.
The newspaper quoted sources in the army that it intends to stay after the expiration of the two-month period on January 27 of this year if the Lebanese army is unable to fulfill its obligations included in the agreement to extend its control over the entire south.
The sources added that in this case, Israeli forces will remain in the areas they currently control until the Lebanese army completes its deployment.
Haaretz explained that the Israeli army is currently present in all Lebanese villages near the border fence, and has begun laying the infrastructure to establish military points along the northern border, and intends to establish some points on the Lebanese side of the border.
It is noteworthy that the Lebanese army deployed in a number of towns from which Israeli forces recently withdrew, including the town of Khiam in the Marjayoun district of Nabatieh Governorate. (Al Jazeera Net)
