Israel says troop withdrawal from Lebanon hinges on Hezbollah disarming
Israel said it will only withdraw its troops from Lebanon once Hezbollah has been disarmed, according to the Economic Times. The statement points to continued tension along the border, where a fragile ceasefire is in place.
According to the Economic Times, Israel said it will maintain its military presence in Lebanon and will only withdraw its troops once Hezbollah has been disarmed. The statement has heightened questions over the future of the fragile ceasefire between the two sides.
According to the report, Israeli officials set out disarmament as a precondition for any troop withdrawal. The border area has seen intermittent exchanges of attacks in recent weeks, and the ceasefire has been tested more than once. The Lebanese side and international mediators are continuing contacts to ease tensions.
Diplomatic sources say talks under way in Washington are continuing. The steps taken by the parties will be decisive for stability along the border. The durability of the ceasefire and the timeline for any troop withdrawal will be closely watched in the period ahead.
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