Media has learned of Israel's plans to leave troops in five strategic locations in Lebanon

Israel will leave its troops in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon after the IDF withdrawal deadline of February 18. Reuters reported on February 17.

"We need to remain in these points for the time being in order to protect Israeli civilians and eventually hand them over to the Lebanese Armed Forces," the outlet quoted an IDF statement as saying.

Under the 60-day truce, which went into effect at the end of November, Israel was to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon, while Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah movement was to withdraw its weapons and fighters from the area. The vacated positions were to be taken over by the Lebanese regular army.

However, Israel said that the conditions were not fully met by the Lebanese side, and the US-backed representatives of the Lebanese army accused Israel of delaying the withdrawal of troops, the publication writes.

Influence post: Israel may postpone IDF withdrawal from Lebanon

The army intends to remain in five positions in the south of the republic

Earlier, on January 19, the first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian radical movement Hamas went into effect. During this phase of the deal, which will last 42 days, 33 Israeli hostages and about 1,900 Palestinians are to be released. On the same day, the movement released three people in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. After that, several more rounds of exchanges took place.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian movement Hamas subjected Israeli territory to a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. On the same day, Israel began retaliatory strikes.