IDF Withdrawal from Lebanon May Face Delays Due to Slow Lebanese Deployment

Israel's planned withdrawal from southern Lebanon could occur more gradually than initially anticipated due to the Lebanese military's slow pace of deployment in the region. Israeli officials shared with The Jerusalem Post on Monday that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have not yet fully deployed in the area as per the agreed-upon schedule, raising concerns about Israel's next steps as the 60-day ceasefire period approaches its conclusion.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which began on November 27, included a provision for the Lebanese military to take control of southern Lebanon, working to neutralize Hezbollah forces and secure the area. This was supposed to lead to a complete Israeli withdrawal at the end of the 60-day trial period. However, the slow deployment has prompted discussions within both Israeli political and defense circles about what actions to take if the Lebanese army does not complete its task by day 60 of the ceasefire.

Israeli officials noted that while there have been signs of increased Lebanese military activity against Hezbollah, the pace of deployment is much slower than originally anticipated, leaving questions about whether Israel should proceed with its full withdrawal or hold back until the Lebanese military fulfills its role.

The Ceasefire Agreement and Its Terms

The ceasefire agreement that began on November 27 outlined a 60-day trial period, after which a permanent ceasefire could be established if certain conditions were met. Among the key conditions was the full deployment of the Lebanese army in southern Lebanon, which would enable Israel to withdraw from the area.

A senior U.S. official, speaking at the time the agreement was ratified, expressed confidence that the Lebanese army would be fully deployed by day 50, allowing Israel to proceed with its withdrawal. However, with the slow pace of deployment, Israeli officials are now facing tough decisions regarding the future of the ceasefire and their security posture along the northern border.

As the deadline approaches, Israel is evaluating its options, including whether to proceed with a full withdrawal from southern Lebanon even if the Lebanese military has not fully completed the deployment, or to adjust its strategy in response to the delays.