IDF staying in Lebanon until enforcement mechanism is seen working — official

An Israeli security official says Israeli forces are remaining in their positions in southern Lebanon and will only gradually withdraw back across the Blue Line.

The official declines to say when troops will begin the withdrawal but says it will be completed during the 60-day period laid out in the ceasefire agreement.

The pace of the withdrawal and the scheduled return of Lebanese civilians to their homes will depend on whether the deal is implemented and enforced by all sides, he adds.

“We need to see the mechanism is working,” he says. “It’s a gradual agreement. It’s a gradual withdrawal.”

While they remain there, Israeli soldiers “will fire when our forces are threatened,” the official says.

Non-immediate threats will be reported to the international monitoring committee, but if no action is taken, “we will enforce it,” the official says.