Lebanon: 5 Strategic Locations Israel Refuse To Leave (X image @AvivaKlompas)
Beirut, Lebanon: On February 18, the deadline for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon expired. Tel Aviv was to retreat from the UN-demarcated Blue Line on their mutual border after reaching a ceasefire deal on November 27 last year. Instead of retreating, Israel remains in five strategic locations in Lebanon.
The Israeli Occupation Force (IOF) remains in five major strategic heights inside Lebanese territory, close to the border shared with Israel.
The five locations are Hamames Hill, which directly overlooks the Jewish settlement of Metula. The place is rich with foliage, which provides natural cover for any troop movements.
Labbouneh Hill, which is located in the Tyre (Sour) district. The place is a mandatory passage for occupation forces to enter southern Lebanon. The hill overlooks the Jewish settlements of Hanita, Shlomi, Ya’ara, and Admit.
Mount Blat Hill, located in southwest Lebanon and around a kilometer away from the Blue Line, overlooks the western and central sectors of the south.
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Aaziyyeh, located in the central sector of the south, overlooks the Jewish settlements of Zar’it, Shomera, and Margaliot, in addition to many southern Lebanese towns.
Mount al-Deir is located outside the town of Aitaroun in the central sector of southern Lebanon. It is adjacent to the Jewish settlements of Avivim and Malikia and overlooks vast areas deep in the Upper Galilee.
The newly formed government under Nawaf Salam is reportedly unified in standing against any Israeli presence in Lebanese territory.
On February 18, President Joseph Aoun held an extraordinary meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the presidential palace in Baabda, where they discussed developments on the southern border, including Israel’s continued violations and breach of the agreement.
The three leaders underscored the need for a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories in line with international law and UN Resolution 1701.
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Reportedly, the US appears unable to pressure Israel, Washington’s closest ally, to respect its legal commitments and withdraw from southern Lebanon. As per reports, the five-member monitoring committee overseeing the truce, which includes the US, France, and UN forces (UNIFIL), failed to force Israel’s implementation of the most important clause in this agreement.
The Lebanese leaders asserted their commitment to intensify contacts with France and the US to achieve this goal while underscoring Lebanon’s right to take appropriate measures to liberate its territories. In a statement issued after the meeting, the trio emphasized the state’s full commitment to Resolution 1701 in all its provisions and without any exceptions, at a time when the Israeli side continues its repeated violations and transgressions of its provisions.
It was also mentioned that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) is ready and prepared to assume all its duties on the recognized international borders to preserve national sovereignty, protect the people of southern Lebanon, and ensure their security and stability.
Israel occupies the places, claiming it is vital to “defensively” occupy for the protection of its border settlements.
(With inputs from agencies)
