Israel TV channel reveals occupation army wish to stay in southern Lebanon

Israel wants to remain in some locations in southern Lebanon indefinitely, the occupation state’s Channel 13 reported on Monday.

“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,” the channel explained.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that, “Hezbollah’s failure to withdraw beyond the Litani River means that there will be no agreement, and Israel will be forced to act.”

According to the Israel Broadcasting Authority, “Tel Aviv is expected to inform Washington that it will not withdraw from Lebanon after the 60-day period stipulated in the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, which came into force on 27 November.”

A fragile ceasefire has been in place since that date ending the exchanges of fire between the occupation state and Hezbollah that began on 8 October, 2023, and then turned into a full-scale war with an Israeli invasion on 23 September last year. Israel has violated the ceasefire on hundreds of occasions already.

Among the most prominent provisions of the agreement is the gradual withdrawal of occupation forces to the south of the Blue Line separating Lebanon from Israel within 60 days, and the deployment of Lebanese army and security forces along the border, crossing points and the southern region.

READ: Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal on verge of collapse, report warns