Reports from international news agencies or official statements from the Lebanese government

Israel Seeks 30-Day Extension for Lebanon Withdrawal as 60-Day Ceasefire Ends Sunday

Jan 23, 2025, 12:22 PM

Israel has requested a 30-day extension from the United States to complete the withdrawal of its forces from southern Lebanon, as the 60-day ceasefire deadline approaches this Sunday. The ceasefire agreement, signed in November, stipulated that Israel would withdraw its troops from the region within 60 days, allowing the Lebanese Army to take control. However, Israeli officials have cited the slow pace of the Lebanese Army's deployment and ongoing Hezbollah violations as reasons for the requested delay. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reported discovering numerous Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including anti-tank missiles, grenades, rifles, and tunnels used as weapon depots. Despite the ceasefire, the IDF remains deployed in the area, continuing to dismantle Hezbollah's military capabilities. Hezbollah has warned that any delay in Israel's withdrawal would violate the ceasefire agreement, urging Lebanon's political authority to pressure countries overseeing the truce to ensure Israel's compliance. The Trump administration has reportedly urged Israel to adhere to the original withdrawal timeline, while the previous Biden administration had considered granting an additional 30 days.