Lebanon’s armed organization Hezbollah has warned Israel to withdraw its troops from its land by February 18. Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qaseem said the Israeli forces must leave southern Lebanon to respect the truce call.
Qaseem said there is no excuse for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to keep his forces in Southern Lebanon. The leader said under the truce agreement oragnised by Washington, the Israeli forces were supposed to leave the land within 60 days. Israeli troops have engaged in skirmishes with Lebanon since October.
Netanyahu’s troops were given an extension until February 18, but now the Israeli Defense Forces said that their forces will remain present at five locations in southern Lebanon.
Qaseem sent a clear message to the Israeli government that there was an agreement to which Israel must adhere as there was no mention of five points or other details. He said the Israeli troops should leave the place on February 18 or it will take stern action.
The Israeli troops conducted airstrikes at three locations in Eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley to curtail Iranian-backed Hezbollah’s activities. The airstrikes took place during Qaseem’s televised speech.
Qaseem urged the Lebanese government to reconsider the decision to ban Iranian flights landing in the capital of Lebanon, Beirut.