New Delhi: Israel on Monday urged another extension from the Trump administration for the deadline regarding the IDF’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, but the request was denied, a US official was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.
The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday that for now, Washington plans to adhere to the February 18 deadline for the IDF’s withdrawal.
US Deputy Mideast Envoy travels to Lebanon
US Deputy Mideast Envoy Morgan Ortagus went to Lebanon and from there to Israel over the weekend to take stock of the progress of the US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended the war sparked by border attacks from the Iran-backed Lebanese terror group. Speaking to reporters, Ortagus said that the Trump administration considers February 18 a “firm date” for the completion of Israel’s withdrawal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested US President Donald Trump to back a further extension of the IDF’s deployment in Lebanon, according to a Channel 12 report on Monday. The report pointed out that Israel is seeking to maintain an IDF presence at five key border points to ensure the continued existence of a buffer zone.
Lebanese Army is not effectively deployed in southern Lebanon: Israel
The report underlined that Israel has reiterated to the US its contention that the Lebanese Army is not effectively deployed in southern Lebanon, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement, and is unable to prevent Hezbollah from reorganising. Israel has sounded a warning that Hezbollah plans to come back to the border area as soon as IDF troops withdraw from there.
The ceasefire was signed by the Biden administration in late November. The withdrawal was initially scheduled for late January. However, two days before the deadline, Netanyahu asserted that Israel would not be withdrawing on that date, accusing Lebanon of failing to meet its obligations under the pact.
Just before the deadline was to end, the US declared an extension until February 18, stating that the Lebanese Army had not yet sufficiently deployed to replace the IDF and prevent Hezbollah from regaining a foothold along Israel’s northern border. Both Israel and Lebanon agreed to the new date.
