Lebanese President expresses concern over Israel’s full withdrawal. Israel objects to Palestinian sovereignty in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem, territories it seized in the 1967 Middle East war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the possibility of the Palestinian Authority (PA) governing post-war Gaza. He reiterated his support for US President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza, which includes the transfer of the enclave’s Palestinian population to neighbouring countries. Israeli forces are scheduled to pull out from southern Lebanon by February 18 after an already extended deadline but expressed intention to maintain positions at five key strategic locations in the area, which was roundly rejected by the Lebanese government. The Lebanese army is ready to deploy in villages and towns vacated by Israeli forces. The committee confirmed its ongoing diplomatic efforts to finalize the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon as soon as possible. The deadline has been extended to February 18 by a further two days after it was originally set for February 15. The Israeli military has said it will withdraw from Lebanon on February 18.
