The American envoy says that the Israeli army will completely withdraw from southern Lebanon Israel attacks Lebanon News

American envoy: The Israeli army will completely withdraw from southern Lebanon Amos Hochstein He said this, despite recent reports that Israel plans to maintain a permanent presence in the country.

Hochstein’s statement came on Monday while Israel was withdrawing its forces from Naqoura in the western sector of the border, with the Lebanese army deployed in the area.

Hochstein told reporters in Beirut: “The Israeli army began its withdrawal from Naqoura, most of the western sector, and returned to Israel today, south of the Blue Line,” referring to the unofficial border between the two countries.

He added, “These withdrawals will continue until all Israeli forces leave Lebanon completely.”

But the American official did not set a timetable for the Israeli withdrawal.

The ceasefire agreement reached in November between Israel and Hezbollah stipulates that Israeli forces must leave Lebanon within 60 days, by January 26.

But media reports from Israel indicated that the Israeli army was not planning to do so Respect the deadline.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement after his meeting with Hockstein on Monday that delaying the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is “strongly unacceptable.”

Last week, the United Nations reiterated its call for a “timely” Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

The Israeli army launches almost daily attacks in Lebanon in violation of the ceasefire, including air strikes across the country, ground advances and the destruction of homes in areas under its control.

Israel says it is implementing the agreement, which stipulates that Hezbollah must withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Israeli border.

Despite the Israeli attacks, Hezbollah has stopped shooting since the agreement entered into force. With exception From one “warning attack” against an Israeli base last month.

Hezbollah officials said they were making way for the Lebanese government to address Israeli violations through diplomatic channels and the US-led “mechanism” to monitor the agreement.

But Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem warned on Saturday that the group’s patience may run out before or after the 60-day period. Qassem said in a televised speech: “When we decide to do something, you will see it directly.”

Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military sites after the outbreak of the 15-month war on Gaza in a campaign that it said was aimed at pressuring Israel to end its attack on the besieged Strip.

After nearly a year of low-level cross-border hostilities, Israel launched an all-out war in Lebanon, killing thousands of people and destroying large parts of the country.

During its offensive, Israel dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah, assassinating many of its senior military and political officials, including its powerful leader. Hassan Nasrallah.

The Israeli army also claimed to have destroyed most of the group’s missile arsenal.

However, Hezbollah declared victory after the war, saying it had halted the Israeli ground advance and inflicted heavy damage on the invading soldiers. The Lebanese group also continued to fire missiles and drones at Israel throughout the conflict.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned on Sunday that Israel “will be forced to act” if Hezbollah does not withdraw from the border.

But Hochstein pointed out that the fragile ceasefire is still holding. “This process is not smooth, but it is working,” he said Monday.

The Lebanese army had confirmed its deployment in Naqoura earlier Monday, but the municipality urged residents not to return to the town before obtaining the green light from the authorities after opening the roads and removing unexploded ordnance.