The IDF continues to find weapons caches, and the Lebanese army is not replacing Hamas as agreed.
Israel has asked the United States for an additional 30 days to withdraw its troops, days before the 60-day deadline stipulated in the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces must surrender all its positions in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces by January 26. Hezbollah must withdraw to the north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border with Israel.
IDF soldiers continue to find Russian-made anti-tank missiles, grenades and assault rifles have been found in Hezbollah depots in the truce zones, and the military says the Lebanese army is aiding the terrorist group in some places.
Under the agreement, Israel has the right to act against immediate threats posed by Hezbollah, but must refer complaints about long-term threats to a monitoring committee made up of representatives from the United States, France, Lebanon and the international observer force UNIFIL.
In response to Israel's request, Hezbollah called on "everyone, especially the political authority in Lebanon," to put pressure on the countries overseeing the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon to ensure that the IDF withdraws at the end of the 60-day truce, which is on Sunday.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, Haaretz reported that the United States and France are discussing the requested extension with Israeli and Lebanese officials. It believes that France sees no problem in granting the extension, provided the other parties agree.
Earlier, Army Radio reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump is less inclined to grant a 30-day delay than his predecessor Joe Biden, and wants the full withdrawal to be completed by Sunday.
However, Israel's outgoing ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, told the radio station that he believed Jerusalem and Washington would "come to an understanding" on the issue and that the extension would be granted.
The heads of the Northern regional council have requested that the IDF remain in Lebanon to ensure the safe return of tens of thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate due to Hezbollah attacks.
Mateh Asher Regional Council head Moshe Davidovich told the Kan public broadcaster that he is in favor of the IDF remaining in a number of key locations “until we understand that Hezbollah will not return to southern Lebanon and that an arsenal of weapons does not reach Israel’s northern border again.”
In addition, in a joint operation with the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, the army said troops found several tunnels belonging to Hezbollah, some of which were used as weapons depots.
The IDF said it is still deployed in some areas of southern Lebanon in accordance with the ceasefire agreement.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire hundreds of times with terrorist operatives moving munitions, attempting to attack Israeli soldiers and preparing to launch rockets into northern Israel, among other things.
As the withdrawal deadline approaches, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, in a meeting with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis, said Israel will respect the agreement as long as its security is maintained. “Lebanon has the opportunity to free itself from Iranian occupation and build a better future.”