Tensions are simmering along the Israel-Lebanon frontier as the deadline for Israel to completely pull its troops out of southern Lebanese territory expired at midnight. According to Lebanese security sources, while Israeli forces vacated multiple villages, they remain entrenched in five strategic border locations.
The continued Israeli military presence threatens to unravel the delicate ceasefire brokered by the US and France back in November 2024. That deal, which took effect on the 27th of that month, required Israel to withdraw fully from southern Lebanon while the Hezbollah militia was obligated to pull its fighters and heavy weapons north of the Litani River, creating a buffer zone.
Both sides have hurled accusations of truce violations in recent weeks. About 60 people have been killed since the armistice began, with two dozen perishing on January 26 as Lebanese civilians tried to return to border towns.
Sticking Points in the Pullout Process
Israel says it’s keeping troops in place to defend its citizens and prevent any immediate threats. The army left multiple villages including Yaroun, Hula, and Meiss el-Jabal, according to Lebanon’s national news agency, but retains control of five unspecified areas.
“We will leave small amounts of troops deployed temporarily in five strategic points along the border in Lebanon so we can continue to defend our residents and to make sure there’s no immediate threat,” stated Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani. Critics argue this runs afoul of the withdrawal agreement.
The Lebanese army, alongside UN peacekeepers, are gradually deploying to the vacated towns, hampered by damaged roads and the presence of explosives. The original withdrawal deadline in late January was pushed to February 18 by mutual consent, but no further extensions have been announced.
Hezbollah’s Stance Remains Crucial
Much depends on the reaction of Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed Shiite group that fought Israel to a bloody stalemate in 2006. Thus far, the group has given no indication that it will resume hostilities, but the risk of an eruption remains high if Israel’s troops stay put indefinitely.
The Israelis are playing with fire by dragging their feet on the pullout. If they don’t withdraw expeditiously, Hezbollah will be forced respond to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty.
– Lebanese Political Analyst Elias Hankache
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has yet to comment on the missed deadline. The group’s forces are reportedly abiding by the ceasefire terms, remaining north of the Litani. But a senior commander vowed that no violations of Lebanese territory would be tolerated.
Egypt Floats Gaza Reconstruction Plan
In a related development, Egypt is reportedly preparing an alternative to US president Donald Trump’s proposal for the reconstitution of Gaza, which suffered massive damage in Israel’s war with Hamas. Trump’s plan, decried by critics as “ethnic cleansing”, would exclude Hamas from governing the impoverished coastal enclave.
Under the Egyptian initiative, Gaza’s reconstruction would be overseen by an independent “social committee” devoid of any Hamas members. Implementing this vision will face severe resistance from Hamas, which has flatly rejected any attempt to sideline its leaders.
Cairo is also likely to face pushback from hawkish voices in Israel’s government. Former national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir asserted that Egypt bears responsibility for Hamas’ October attack that slaughtered 1,200 Israelis. Without citing evidence, he charged that Egypt was likely “willfully blind” to the assault.
Fallout Threatens to Revive Regional Violence
The spat underscores how the risk of renewed bloodshed radiates beyond Israel and Lebanon. Another Hamas-Israel war would be catastrophic, as a World Bank damage assessment of the last conflagration is expected to show. After Gaza lost $18.5 billion in infrastructure in just the first four months, a expanded report will reveal the full devastation.
With one of the Middle East’s most volatile frontiers hanging in the balance, the potential for a resurgent conflict to engulf the region is palpable. For the precarious ceasefire to endure, Israel’s full compliance is non-negotiable. The next hours will be decisive in either reinforcing the truce or watching it crumble entirely.
