IDF to Remain in Southern Lebanon After 60-Day Ceasefire: Uncertainty Looms
January 24, 2025
12:47 PM
Reading time: 4 minutes

As the 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah approaches, the situation in southern Lebanon remains in flux. While the agreement, brokered by US envoy Amos Hochstein, called for the Lebanese Army to deploy and dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure during the first 60 days, Israel's defense establishment is uncertain about the next steps.
Israeli officials have voiced concern that the Lebanese Army has not adequately fulfilled its responsibilities under the ceasefire terms. The Lebanese forces have been slow to remove Hezbollah camps and equipment, leading to questions about Israel's continued military presence in the region. As of now, it’s unclear how much longer the IDF will remain in southern Lebanon beyond day 60, with the security cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss the matter.
“The deployment is not according to the schedule, and the work they are doing on the ground is minimal,” two Israeli officials told The Jerusalem Post, emphasizing that Hezbollah’s influence in the area remains a significant challenge.
While the agreement calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon after the 60-day mark, some officials have expressed hope that the Trump administration will allow Israel to maintain a permanent military outpost along the border. This would ensure continued security oversight and prevent Hezbollah from gaining an upper hand.
In recent weeks, US officials have reportedly urged Israel to keep the agreement intact, expressing concerns about the situation devolving if the ceasefire collapses. Some diplomatic sources have warned that a permanent Israeli presence in southern Lebanon could empower Hezbollah politically, especially with the recent shift in Lebanon's political landscape, including the rise of an anti-Hezbollah prime minister and president.
With the US serving as a key partner in monitoring the ceasefire, Israel has made it clear that it doesn’t want Washington to pull out of the ceasefire mechanism. Israeli officials are wary that without US oversight, the Lebanese Army could struggle to dismantle Hezbollah’s strongholds effectively.