Backing Israeli plan to remain in Lebanon, White House calls for ‘short, temporary extension’ of IDF withdrawal

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Troops of the 769th “Hiram” Regional Brigade operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on January 24, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)
Troops of the 769th “Hiram” Regional Brigade operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on January 24, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

The White House calls for a “short, temporary extension” to the 60-day deadline for Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon as part of the ceasefire reached in November with Lebanon.

The 60-day deadline is slated to expire on Sunday.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would not complete its withdrawal in time which will violate the terms of the ceasefire.

Appearing to back Netanyahu’s stance, the White House says, “President Trump is committed to ensuring Israeli citizens can safely return to their homes in northern Israel, while also supporting President Aoun and the new Lebanese government.”

“All parties share the goal of ensuring Hezbollah does not have the ability to threaten the Lebanese people or their neighbors. To achieve these goals, a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes says in a statement.

“We are pleased that the IDF has started the withdrawal from the central regions, and we continue to work closely with our regional partners to finalize the extension,” he adds.

In the first public confirmation of such a delay, following weeks of speculation, Netanyahu’s office declared in a statement that “the IDF’s withdrawal process is conditional,” citing what he said are Lebanon’s and Hezbollah’s obligations under the agreement, though the Iran-backed terrorist organization is not a party to the deal signed between Jerusalem and Beirut.

Netanyahu said that since Lebanon “has not yet fully enforced” its obligations under the ceasefire, “the phased withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States.” The original 60-day deadline was slated for Sunday, January 26.

The prime minister said that the terms of the deal were worded “with the understanding that the withdrawal process may continue beyond 60 days.”

The deal’s text says that the withdrawal process “should not exceed 60 days.”

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