📢 Israel Confirms Troops Stay in South Lebanon Amid Rising Tensions 🇮🇱🇱🇧
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced that Israeli troops will continue to operate in five strategic positions in south Lebanon beyond the agreed pullout deadline. This decision comes as part of the November 27 truce deal, which initially gave Israel 60 days to withdraw from the region.
🛡️ \"The military will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon with five control positions and will continue to act forcefully and uncompromisingly against any Hezbollah violation,\" Katz stated, emphasizing Israel's commitment to maintaining stability.
The situation has led to significant displacement, with tens of thousands of residents in northern Israel fleeing Hezbollah rocket attacks and over a million people in Lebanon escaping Israeli air strikes. Hezbollah has declared that any remaining Israeli forces would be deemed as an occupying presence.
This isn't the first time Israel has had troops in southern Lebanon. After a 22-year occupation, Israel withdrew in 2000 due to persistent attacks by Hezbollah, an organization established in 1982 to resist Israeli invasions.
The recent conflict has seen intense exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah for nearly a year, especially around the border areas. September marked a significant escalation, with Israel conducting air strikes targeting Hezbollah's leadership and deploying ground troops into southern Lebanon.
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Reference(s):
Israel confirms troops to remain at 'five positions' in south Lebanon
cgtn.com
