MIDDLE EAST

Netanyahu seeks Trump’s approval for Israeli army presence in Lebanon

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested US President Donald Trump to allow the Israeli army to remain in five strategic points in southern Lebanon.

According to Israel’s Channel 13 television, Netanyahu conveyed his request through Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Israeli officials noted that the five points where the Israeli army is requested to stay are strategic military areas that form a buffer zone between northern Israel and southern Lebanon. They emphasized that the Lebanese army has not yet deployed in these areas.

The news report stated that many officials in the Israeli army believe they should remain in Lebanon, pending approval from US President Trump.

According to Israeli state television KAN, members of the Israeli Foreign Affairs and Security Committee recently received a security assessment from Uri Gordin, the commander of the northern region of the Israeli army, regarding developments on the Lebanese border. Gordin claimed that the Israeli army would not withdraw from Lebanon within the time stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

Violations continue

On the other hand, Israel continues its violations in Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreement. Israel has violated the ceasefire a total of 629 times so far.

According to the Lebanese news agency NNA, the latest violations by the Israeli army took place in the towns of Bint Jbeil, Marjayoun, and Hasbaya in the city of Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli army blew up some houses in Bint Jbeil and Ayta al-Shaab areas with explosives, set fire to houses, and opened fire with machine guns in the Marjayoun area. Israeli troops also blew up houses in several other towns in the south and carried out an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack in the Hasbaya area.

60-day withdrawal was foreseen

The ceasefire agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel entered into force on November 27.

In the second article of the agreement, it was stated that “The Lebanese government will prevent Hezbollah or any other armed groups on Lebanese territory from carrying out any operations against Israel, and Israel will not carry out any military attacks on civilian, military, or state-owned targets in Lebanon by land, sea, or air.”

According to the agreement, the Lebanese army was to gradually deploy to the areas occupied by Israel in the south of the country within 60 days (by January 26), and the Israeli army was to withdraw.

Since the agreement entered into force, the Israeli army has continued to violate the ceasefire with actions such as bombardments and house demolitions.

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