Beirut airport to be closed Sunday afternoon for burial of slain terror leader and his would-be successor; Lebanon says it considers any remaining Israeli presence an occupation

As questions remain over the Lebanese Armed Forces' ability to stop Hezbollah's entrenchment, the IDF is completing the remainder of its withdrawal.

Israel Defense Forces soldiers will remain deployed at five outposts in Southern Lebanon beyond the Feb. 18 deadline as set out in the truce deal with Beirut, the army’s Northern Command confirmed on Monday. Jerusalem’s decision to keep boots on the ground in Lebanon was made in conjunction with the Trump administration and the French, it noted.

The Israeli army confirmed Monday that its troops will withdraw from all Lebanese border villages, but retain five strategic positions in southern Lebanon beyond the Feb. 18 cease-fire deadline.

The Israel Defense Forces confirm that they will withdraw units from southern Lebanon on Tuesday. However, they will maintain a presence in five strategic locations, The Times of Israel informs. According to the media outlet,

Positions are located on hills outside Lebanese frontier villages; army also beefs up defenses on Israeli side of border as pullout deadline arrives The post IDF to remain in five strategic posts in south Lebanon after Tuesday withdrawal appeared first on The Times of Israel.