Israel's Controversial Decision, New Uncertainty Over Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire
Jerusalem, February 18: The Israeli military has announced that it will maintain positions in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon, which were scheduled for withdrawal under the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah by the deadline on Tuesday. The Lebanese government has expressed frustration over this delayed withdrawal.
Israel's Controversial Decision, New Uncertainty Over Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire
Israel's Controversial Decision, New Uncertainty Over Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire
Jerusalem, February 18: The Israeli military has announced that it will maintain positions in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon, which were scheduled for withdrawal under the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah by the deadline on Tuesday. The Lebanese government has expressed frustration over this delayed withdrawal.
At the same time, uncertainty surrounds the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza as the region marks 500 days of the ongoing conflict. Conflicting messages have come from Israel and the United States regarding the ceasefire, and discussions on the second phase have not yet begun.
Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said Israeli forces will stay in these five locations in southern Lebanon as they are crucial for monitoring Israeli communities. He added that this "temporary measure" had been approved by the U.S.-led monitoring body, and its deadline had been extended by three weeks.
Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that the ceasefire must be respected, expressing that "trust cannot be placed in the Israeli enemy." He mentioned that Lebanese officials are working diplomatically towards the withdrawal.
The situation regarding the ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza has become more complicated. Over 70 additional hostages are expected to be released by Hamas, but discussions for the second phase, which will determine the hostages’ release, have not yet begun. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration have pledged to eliminate Hamas, but experts suggest this may be difficult to implement.
On the same day, Israel issued a tender for the construction of 1,000 new settler homes in the West Bank, which would establish settlements in a significant part of the West Bank. The "Peace Now" organization has raised concerns that this will obstruct the development of the nearby city of Bethlehem.
Local Gaza resident Mohammed Barash reflected on the situation, saying, "Everything is destroyed, Gaza is not fit for life.
