Israel talking about staying in Lebanon to put pressure on Lebanese army, official says

By Lazar Berman

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5 January 2025, 4:17 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

A Lebanese army soldier on an APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) flashes victory sign, as a convoy enters in Mansouri village on its way to being deployed in southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024.(AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Israel is talking tough about remaining in Lebanon after the initial 60-day ceasefire to pressure the Lebanese Armed Forces to fulfill their obligations before the period ends, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel.

Israel would very much prefer to have the Lebanese army deploy across southern Lebanon and ensure that Hezbollah retreats fully from the area, the official says.

“We don’t think that we’ll have the full backing of the US to break the ceasefire,” says the official. “The feeling is that there’s no point in reopening that front.”