Hochstein promises IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon as Lebanese army deploys to region

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein reportedly promised the government of Lebanon that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by the end of January, according to reports Saturday in Lebanese and Israeli media. 

Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar reported that during meetings with newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Hochstein claimed to have received “a detailed timeline for the withdrawal” of the IDF forces from discussions with Israeli leaders. 

The special envoy visited Beirut last week, where he assured the Lebanese leaders that Israel would withdraw its forces on time, according to the deadline set by the Nov. 14 ceasefire agreement. 

Hochstein reportedly told the Lebanese leaders that “January 26 will be the final date for Israeli forces in Lebanon.” 

Israeli leaders had previously expressed uncertainty about the Lebanese army’s readiness to deploy to all the areas the IDF had occupied during its ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as well as the Lebanese military’s ability to confront attempts by the terror group to return to areas south of the Litani River. 

Several Israeli leaders have called for a continued IDF presence there until the Lebanese army demonstrates the ability to enforce the terms of the ceasefire. U.S. officials under the Biden administration have opposed such a plan.

According to the report in Al Akhbar, Hochstein requested that the Lebanese army increase its deployment to the areas being vacated by the IDF and stated that Hezbollah must turn over all weapons south of the Litani to the Lebanese army. 

Hochstein reiterated the U.S. demand for the Lebanese military to enhance its capabilities and raise its alert levels to effectively counter Hezbollah's efforts to reestablish a presence in southern Lebanon.

The IDF has made repeated strikes against Hezbollah units violating the ceasefire by attempting to retrieve weapons south of the Litani, or attempting to smuggle weapons back into areas the terror group abandoned following the Israeli ground incursion last October. 

On Saturday, the Israeli Air Force struck a known Hezbollah military compound in southern Lebanon after several terrorists were seen exiting the compound in violation of the ceasefire terms. 

The IDF also struck three suspects in southern Lebanon attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory near Mt. Dov. 

After Lebanese media reported increased deployment by the country’s military to communities in southern Lebanon, Avigdor Lieberman, head of the right-wing political party Israel Beitenu, said in a social media post, “An IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon by January 26th would be a betrayal of the northern residents and a blatant lack of responsibility.”

“It is clear to everyone that the Lebanese army will not collect weapons from Hezbollah, and Hezbollah will not give up even a single bullet,” Lieberman continued. “We must create a buffer zone inside Lebanon to maintain the security of the residents of the north.”