News | International
16 Feb 2025 22:53
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > International

    Israel delays withdrawal of troops from Lebanon days before deadline

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is blaming the Lebanese Army's delay in taking control of southern Lebanon, insisting the IDF has to stay in place.


    Israeli forces will remain positioned in southern Lebanon beyond the 60-day deadline for withdrawal set out in the ceasefire deal with the militant group Hezbollah.

    Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has confirmed the delay, blaming the Lebanese Army for failing to take control of areas of southern Lebanon previously controlled by Hezbollah.

    The 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force on November 27, after more than a year of conflict.

    More than 1.2 million people were displaced in southern Lebanon, and more than 60,000 were evacuated from northern Israel during the fighting.

    The terms of the truce included a demand for Israeli forces to withdraw from region south of the Litani River to the northern Israeli border, for Hezbollah to move fighters and weapons from the area and for the Lebanese Army to move in alongside United Nations peacekeepers.

    The deadline for those arrangements is 4am local time on Sunday, which is 1pm AEDT.

    In a statement, Mr Netanyahu's office said the country's forces would remain.

    "The outline for the ceasefire in Lebanon stipulates that the IDF's phased withdrawal 'should' be implemented within 60 days," a spokesperson said.

    "The clause was worded this way with the understanding that the withdrawal process may continue beyond 60 days.

    "Since the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by the State of Lebanon, the phased withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States."

    Hezbollah had earlier argued any delay in an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon should be "considered a flagrant violation of the agreement and an infringement on Lebanese sovereignty" and that the Lebanese government should do everything in its power "to retrieve the land and snatch it from the clutches of occupation".

    The US and France worked to broker the ceasefire, and have been overseeing the enforcement of the deal for the last two months.

    Israel has been repeatedly accused of jeopardising the truce through ongoing strikes in southern Lebanon.

    On Friday, Israeli media outlets reported that Mr Netanyahu's government asked the United States for an extra 30 days to pull its troops out.

    The new Trump administration said it was necessary to extend the deal.

    "All parties share the goal of ensuring Hezbollah does not have the ability to threaten the Lebanese people or their neighbours," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said.

    "To achieve these goals, a short, temporary ceasefire extension is urgently needed.

    "We are pleased that the IDF has started the withdrawal from the central regions, and we continue to work closely with our regional partners to finalise the extension."

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other International News
     16 Feb: Stampede at Indian railway station kills Maha Kumbh festival pilgrims
     16 Feb: School bullying inquiry hears Catholic Education Tasmania denies leadership roles to staff based on sexual orientation and relationship status
     16 Feb: Freed Israeli hostage learns daughter's name, as released Palestinians burn shirts
     16 Feb: Miss Pacific Islands beauty pageant saga sees police 'investigating fraud' after week of drama
     16 Feb: Christian pastor denied burial as attacks on religious minorities rise in India
     16 Feb: Elon Musk's DOGE agency is at the centre of controversy in the US. So what is it?
     15 Feb: Drone attack on Chernobyl nuclear plant casts shadow over peace prospects
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson believes Joe Schmidt won't be lost to Australian rugby when he steps down as head coach at the end of the Rugby Championship More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Resale conditions are improving in New Zealand's property market More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    A motorcyclist has been critically injured in a crash on State Highway 73, the Arthur's Pass road 21:56

    Motoring:
    For South Island motorists: a crash has closed State Highway 73 between Arthurs Pass and Otira 21:16

    Politics:
    Education Minister Erica Stanford says her associate minister, David Seymour, was overstepping the mark when he announced a crackdown on teacher-only days last year 18:56

    Entertainment:
    Stampede at Indian railway station kills Maha Kumbh festival pilgrims 18:46

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person has serious injuries after a crash which has closed State Highway 2 at Tutira in Hawke's Bay 18:36

    Rugby:
    New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson believes Joe Schmidt won't be lost to Australian rugby when he steps down as head coach at the end of the Rugby Championship 18:06

    Environment:
    A temporary relief station is now operating for people affected by a fire on the third floor of a multi-storey building in Wellington's Willis Street 17:46

    Soccer:
    Wellington Phoenix women's coach Paul Temple believes winning tonight's A-League clash against the Glory in Perth is vital for their play-off hopes 17:46

    Rugby League:
    Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris believes the All-Stars teams should always be at full strength 17:36

    Cricket:
    Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson believes the openers are a point of contention in New Zealand's ODI side heading into the Champions Trophy this week 16:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd