Hezbollah Demands Full Israeli Withdrawal From Lebanon By February 18

The head of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has declared that Israeli troops must completely withdraw from Lebanese territory by February 18, insisting that Israel has “no pretext” to maintain any military presence in southern Lebanon beyond that date.

Speaking in a recorded televised address on Sunday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem emphasised that any Israeli troops remaining in Lebanon after the deadline would be considered an occupying force.

“Israel must withdraw completely on Feb. 18, it has no pretext, no five points or other details… this is the agreement,” Qassem said. “Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with,” he added, without explicitly threatening renewed attacks against Israel.

The withdrawal deadline stems from a US-brokered truce in November, which granted Israel 60 days to pull out from southern Lebanon, where it has been engaged in a ground offensive against Hezbollah fighters since early October. The deadline was later extended to February 18. However, Israel’s military has requested to maintain a presence in five posts in the area.

Israeli public broadcaster reported last Wednesday that the US had authorised a “long-term” Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, though this claim has not been publicly confirmed by Washington.

During Qassem’s speech, at least three Israeli airstrikes hit Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. The Israeli military stated it had conducted the strikes after detecting Hezbollah activity at sites containing rocket launchers and other weapons.

In addition to calling for an Israeli withdrawal, Qassem urged the Lebanese government to lift its ban on Iranian flights landing in Beirut. The restriction, in place until February 18, was imposed after Israel accused Iran of using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash into Lebanon to arm Hezbollah.

The ban left dozens of Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran, where they had traveled on a religious pilgrimage with plans to return via Iran’s Mahan Air. Lebanon dispatched two planes to retrieve them, but Iran denied landing rights to the Lebanese aircraft in response.

Hezbollah supporters protested the ban outside Beirut airport on Saturday, leading to clashes with Lebanese troops, who used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

Qassem condemned the Lebanese government’s decision, describing it as “the implementation of an Israeli order.”

“Let the plane land and we will see what Israel will do,” he said.

Melissa Enoch

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