Hezbollah rejects Israeli military presence in Lebanon beyond February 18

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem warned that Israeli troops must be completely withdrawn from Lebanese territory until February 18, rejecting Israel’s request to maintain military positions in southern Lebanon. He said that any Israeli presence after the deadline will be considered a profession.

In a pre-recorded television speech on Sunday, Qassem stressed that the agreement on which the Israeli forces were given 60 days to withdraw after a truce held by the United States in November allowed no exceptions.

“Israel must be completely withdrawn on February 18th. It has no pretext. There are no five points or other details … This is the deal,” he said.

Israeli presence of troops under control
Israeli forces began an attack in South Lebanon in early October, taking part in clashes with almost days with Hezbollah fighters in the wider Israeli-Gaza war.

Underneath the November truce, Israeli forces are expected to be completely withdrawn from Lebanese territory within 60 days, a deadline expanded later on February 18.

However, sources told Reuters last week that Israel had requested to maintain a presence in five military positions beyond the time -limit, a move that has been addressed with a constant opposition from Hezbollah.

Qassem warned that all Israeli troops remaining in Lebanese territories after February 18th would be regarded as a occupation force.

“Everyone knows how a profession is treated,” he said, without explicitly threatening the repetition of hostilities.

Israeli Public Broadcasting, Kan, said last week that the United States had authorized a “long -term” Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon, although Washington did not officially confirm it.

Israeli goal of Lebanon in the midst of speech
As Qassem’s address was broadcast, Israeli air raids hit at least three targets in the East Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, according to security sources.

The Israeli Defense (IDF) later confirmed the strikes, stating that they had targeted Hezbollah sites containing rocket launchers and weapons warehouses.

Hezbollah has been involved in frequent cross -border fire exchanges with Israel since October 7, when the Gaza War broke out. Conflicts have displaced thousands of residents on both sides of the border, with Israeli air raids intensifying in recent weeks.

The ban on Lebanon on Iranian flights causes tensions
Qassem also condemned the decision of the Lebanese government to temporarily ban Iranian flights from landing to Beirut, calling the act of submission to Israeli demands.

The ban, which lasts until February 18, was imposed after Israeli accusations that Iran used civilian aircraft to transfer cash and weapons to Hezbollah.

The decision broke dozens of Lebanese nationals in Iran, many of whom had traveled to religious pilgrimages. Lebanon tried to send two aircraft to recover them, but Iran banned planes from landing in Tehran, escalating tensions.

On Saturday, Hezbollah organized a protest at Beirie’s Rafic Hariri Airport, where Lebanese security forces used tear gas to scatter protesters.

Qassem accused the Lebanese government of acting under Israeli pressure and demanded that Iranian flights were immediately restored.

“Leave the plane and see what Israel will do,” he said.

Uncertainty before the withdrawal deadline
Under the deadline of 18 February, uncertainty emerges whether the Israeli forces will completely withdraw or maintain positions in southern Lebanon.

Tensions along the Lebanese-Israel border remain high, with frequent Israeli air strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks.

While diplomatic efforts are ongoing, Hezbollah has made it clear that it would not tolerate any Israeli military presence beyond the agreed deadline, increasing fears of a new escalation in the conflict.