Published February 16,2025
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The head of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah stated on Sunday that Israeli troops should withdraw from Lebanese territory in full by a February 18 deadline, saying it had “no pretext” to take care of a army presence in any put up in southern Lebanon.
Under a truce brokered by Washington in November, Israeli troops have been granted 60 days to withdraw from southern Lebanon the place that they had waged a floor offensive towards fighters from Iran-backed Hezbollah since early October.
That deadline was later prolonged to February 18, however Israel‘s army requested that it preserve troops in 5 posts in southern Lebanon, sources instructed Reuters final week.
In a recorded televised speech, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem stated: “Israel must withdraw completely on Feb. 18, it has no pretext, no five points or other details… this is the agreement.”
Qassem stated any Israeli army presence on Lebanese soil after February 18 can be thought-about an occupying pressure.
“Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with,” Qassem stated, with out explicitly threatening that his group would resume assaults towards Israel.
Israel’s public broadcaster stated on Wednesday the U.S. had authorised a “long term” Israeli troop presence in southern Lebanon.
During the printed of Qassem’s speech, a minimum of three Israeli air strikes hit Lebanon’s jap Bekaa Valley. Israel’s army stated it carried out strikes after figuring out Hezbollah exercise at websites containing rocket launchers and different weapons.
Qassem additionally known as on the Lebanese authorities to rethink its ban on Iranian flights touchdown in Beirut.
Lebanese authorities banned the flights from touchdown till February 18 following Israeli accusations that Tehran was utilizing civilian plane to smuggle money to Beirut to arm Hezbollah.
The choice stranded dozens of Lebanese nationals in Iran, the place that they had been on a non secular pilgrimage with plans to return through Iran’s Mahan Air. Lebanon despatched two of its personal planes to retrieve them, however Iran barred them from touchdown in Tehran.
Hezbollah organised a protest outdoors Beirut airport on Saturday, the place its supporters have been tear gassed by Lebanese troops.
Qassem described Lebanon‘s ban on Iranian planes as “the implementation of an Israeli order”.
“Let the plane land and we will see what Israel will do,” he stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr