Israel says it will continue to occupy Lebanon beyond ceasefire deadline

Israel will not completely leave Lebanese territory by the end of the 60-day truce with Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday.

The agreement, signed by both Israel and the Lebanese government, ended over a year of border clashes and two months of full-blown conflict on 27 November.

It gave Israel 60 days to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah is supposed to retreat to the north of the Litani River. Hezbollah is supposed to be replaced by the Lebanese army in the areas it leaves.

The process is supposed to be completed on Monday at 4am local time (2am GMT).

Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s withdrawal is “contingent on the Lebanese army deploying in southern Lebanon and fully and effectively enforcing the agreement, while Hezbollah withdraws beyond the Litani”.

Read more: Israel says it will continue to occupy Lebanon beyond ceasefire deadline