'Israel' rejects plan to conclude Lebanon withdrawal by Feb 18: Report
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The Israeli occupation is rejecting foreign plans for a timely withdrawal from Lebanon by the February 18 deadline.
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Lebanese soldiers enter a neighborhood in the southern Lebanese village of Aitaroun, Lebanon, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 (AP)
The Israeli occupation has rejected a French plan to expedite the withdrawal of its forces from Lebanon, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post on Friday.
The report stated that the Israeli regime turned down a French proposal to have United Nations peacekeeping forces, including French troops, take control of five key locations in southern Lebanon to ensure Israeli forces withdraw by the February 18 deadline.
Instead, the "Israel" has opted to remain in these five strategic positions, the newspaper added.
This development comes as the Israeli Kan broadcaster reported that senior Israeli cabinet ministers claimed to have received US approval to stay in several locations in Lebanon beyond the ceasefire deadline.
Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a Lebanese official and a foreign diplomat as saying that the Israeli occupation requested to keep its forces in five positions in southern Lebanon until February 28.
On Thursday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri reaffirmed that Lebanon would not accept an Israeli presence in these five locations and categorically rejected any extension of the withdrawal deadline.
The five positions Israel intends to maintain control over are:
Talat al-Labouna, overlooking several Israeli settlements and positioned near the towns of Dhayra, Labouna, and Alma al-Shaab; Tallet al-Aziya, located near the towns of Yarin and Marwahin; Jabal al-Balat, on the border of Rmeish and Ain Ibl; Jabal al-Bat, in Aitaroun, overseeing the entire central sector; and Tallet al-Oweida, situated between the villages of Adaisseh, Taybeh, and Rub al-Thalatheen.
Lebanon has consistently opposed any Israeli presence on its territory, maintaining that full withdrawal is non-negotiable.
