Hezbollah chief says Israel must withdraw completely from Lebanon by February 18
Beirut (Reuters) – The head of Lebanese armed group Hezbollah said on Sunday that Israeli forces must completely evacuate from Lebanese territory by the February 18 deadline, saying there is no “excusation” in any post in southern Lebanon ”.
During a truce in Washington in November, Israeli troops were granted 60 days to evacuate from southern Lebanon, and they have launched a ground offensive against Iran-backed Hezbollah since early October.
The deadline was later extended to February 18, but Israeli troops demanded that the troops be kept at five posts in southern Lebanon, sources told Reuters last week.
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“Israel must withdraw completely on February 18, it has no excuses, no five points or other details … it is an agreement,” Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem said in a recorded television speech.
Qassem said that after February 18, any Israeli military presence on Lebanon soil will be considered an occupation force.
“Everyone knows how to deal with a profession,” Qassem said. There is no clear threat to his group that will resume attacks on Israel.
Israel’s public broadcaster said Wednesday that the U.S. has authorized “long-term” Israeli forces in southern Lebanon to be present.
During the airing of the Qassem speech, at least three Israeli air strikes hit the Beca Valley in eastern Lebanon. Israel’s army said it went on strike after it identified Hezbollah activities on the scene with rocket launchers and other weapons.
Qassem also called on the Lebanese government to reconsider its ban on flights to Iran in Beirut.
Lebanese authorities ban flights from landing to February 18 as Israel accused Tehran of smuggling cash to Beirut using civilian aircraft to arm Hezbollah.
The decision stranded dozens of Lebanese nationals in Iran who have been on religious pilgrimage and have planned to return via Iran’s Mahan Airlines. Lebanon sent two of its own planes to retrieve them, but Iran prohibited them from landing in Tehran.
Hezbollah held a protest outside Beirut airport on Saturday, with supporters ripped apart by Lebanese troops.
Qassem describes Lebanon’s ban on Iranian aircraft as “the implementation of Israeli orders.”
“Let the plane land and we will see what Israel will do,” he said.
(Reported by Maya Gebeily; Edited by Jan Harvey)
