The deadline for the IDF’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon on Sunday, Jan. 26, is fast approaching, and according to several media reports in recent days, Israel seeks to extend the deadline to have more time to destroy terror infrastructure and find weapons caches.
The Israeli request is currently being discussed by all parties to the ceasefire enforcement mechanism, which includes the U.S., France, Lebanon, and several other nations.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Trump administration reportedly opposes Israel’s request and expects it to fulfill the terms of the agreement, according to Army Radio. This is despite the fact that even the Biden administration reportedly considered supporting an extension of 30 days.
Israel's outgoing ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, told the outlet that Israel is still in talks with the new administration over the issue and said he believes "an understanding" will be reached to allow the IDF to remain in southern Lebanon.
A source cited by Haaretz said he believes France will not object to the extension, as long as the other parties to the deal also agree. France and the other international parties to the enforcement committee have endorsed Lebanon’s allegations that the IDF violated the terms of the agreement.
The IDF in turn claimed that many of the alleged violations were strikes against Hezbollah’s attempt to violate the agreement, for example, by moving rockets and other weapons between different stores.
Israel in recent weeks repeatedly complained over the slow pace of deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which is supposed to fill the vacuum left by retreating Israeli troops in order not to allow Hezbollah to return to southern Lebanon.
The IDF has also repeatedly published footage of Hezbollah weapons caches that are still regularly found in the areas it controls. In its latest announcement on Thursday, the army said soldiers of the 7th Brigade found and destroyed a stash of anti-tank missiles, hand grenades, and AK-47 rifles.
In another joint operation with elite engineering forces, the troops found and destroyed several underground staging areas and weapons stores.
Even more concerning than Hezbollah’s efforts to salvage its weapons and equipment left in southern Lebanon are reports that the LAF, instead of fighting Hezbollah, is actively assisting the terror group.
Kan News reported that IDF Northern Command chief Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee three weeks ago that Hezbollah has committed hundreds of mostly minor violations.
However, he also noted that the LAF is helping Hezbollah, particularly in areas under the command of Shia leaders or occupied by majority Shiite units. The LAF is the state’s official military and is traditionally commanded by Christian Lebanese, however, it has members from all the country’s religious sects.
Hezbollah has its support base among the Shia Muslims, who are the largest population group in the south, and possibly, the whole country.
Kan News also reported some two weeks ago that many of the LAF’s middle ranks have personal ties to Hezbollah members, leading to information leaks and the avoidance of friction with the much larger, better equipped terror group.
In another, closed Knesset committee meeting this week, IDF officials told the politicians that Hezbollah’s violations include activities at sites used to store and produce weapons, and the presence of operatives in areas that were expressly forbidden under the agreement, among others.
Republished with permission from All Israel News.