The US representative said that the Israeli army will completely withdraw from the south of Lebanon. Israel attacked Lebanese news

The Israeli army will completely withdraw from southern Lebanon, the representative of the United States Amos Hochstein Despite recent reports that Israel plans to maintain a permanent presence in the country.

Hochstein’s statement on Monday came as Israel withdrew its forces from Nagoura, located in the western sector of the border, with the Lebanese army stationed in the region.

“The Israeli army started withdrawing from Nagoura, a large part of the western sector, and today it returned to Israel south of the Blue Line,” Hochstein told reporters in Beirut, referring to the unofficial border between the two countries.

“These withdrawals will continue until all Israeli forces are completely withdrawn from Lebanon.”

However, the US official did not provide a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal.

The cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and Hezbollah in November provides for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon within 60 days, ie by January 26.

However, media reports from Israel suggest that the Israeli army does not plan to to respect the deadline.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a statement after a meeting with Hochstein on Monday that delaying Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon was “firmly rejected.”

Last week, the United Nations reiterated its call for a “timely” Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

The Israeli military violates the ceasefire and conducts daily attacks in Lebanon, including airstrikes inside the country, ground advances and the destruction of homes in areas under its control.

Israel claims it is complying with an agreement that says Hezbollah must withdraw its forces north of the Litani River, about 30 km (19 miles) from the Israeli border.

Despite Israeli attacks, Hezbollah has continued to fire since the agreement went into effect. except a single “warning strike” against an Israeli base last month.

Hezbollah officials said they were giving the Lebanese government room to address Israeli violations through diplomatic channels and a US-led “mechanism”.

But Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned on Saturday that the group’s patience could run out before or after the 60-day deadline. Qassem said in a televised speech: “When we decide to do something, you will see it directly.

Hezbollah has launched attacks on Israeli military positions since the start of the 15-month war in Gaza in a campaign aimed at pressuring Israel to end its offensive on the besieged enclave.

After nearly a year of low-level cross-border military operations, Israel launched an all-out war in Lebanon, killing thousands and destroying much of the country.

During the attack, Israel dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah, killing several high-ranking military and political officials, including its powerful leader. Hasan Nasrullah.

The Israeli military also claimed to have destroyed most of the group’s missile arsenal.

However, Hezbollah claimed victory after the war, saying it halted Israeli ground advances and inflicted heavy casualties on occupying troops. The Lebanese group also continued to fire rockets and drones at Israel throughout the conflict.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that the country “will be forced to act” if Hezbollah does not withdraw from the border.

But Hochstein suggested that the fragile truce was preserved. “This process is not smooth, but it is successful,” he said.

The Lebanese army confirmed it had been deployed in Nagoura on Monday morning, but after the municipality opened roads and cleared unexploded ordnance, it urged residents not to return to the city before authorities gave the green light.