Israel Asks For An Additional 30 Days To Complete Withdrawal Of IDF Troops From Lebanon

JAKARTA - Israel requested an additional 30 days to complete the withdrawal of Israeli forces Defense Forces (IDF) from southern Lebanon, reports Hebrew media, a few days before the 60-day deadline set out in a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

Under the provisions of the November 27 ceasefire agreement, the IDF is required to hand over all of its positions in southern Lebanon to the Lebanese Armed Forces no later than January 26, quoted from The Times of Israel.

However, in recent weeks, Israel assessed that Lebanese troops had been deployed too slowly across the region, resulting in delays in the withdrawal of IDF troops.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, Haaretz daily reported the United States and France were discussing the requested extension with Israeli and Lebanese officials. The source assessed that France had no problem with granting the extension, as long as others agreed.

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, the Army Radio reported that the administration of US President Donald Trump tended not to give a 30-day sentence to his predecessor, and wanted the full withdrawal to be completed on Sunday (according to the agreement).

Israeli ambassadors who will soon step down for the US remain telling the radio network that he believes Jerusalem and Washington will "reach understanding" into the matter and the extension will eventually be given.

This is in contrast to the position of President Joe Biden's Administration, which was previously said to be considering giving Israel an additional 30 days outside the 60-day withdrawal period set out in the ceasefire agreement.

Israel's Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog confirmed to the radio network that Israel was in talks with the US on the matter, and believed they would "EARn an agreement" and gain extra time.