“Israel” army pulls out of Lebanon border villages, holds five positions

The “Israeli” army has pulled out of southern Lebanese villages but remains in five positions, a Lebanese security source said, as a deadline for the withdrawal expired Tuesday under a truce deal with Hezbollah.

"The Israeli army has withdrawn from all border villages except for five points, while the Lebanese army is gradually deploying due to the presence of explosives in some areas and damage to the roads," the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Tuesday that troops remained in "five positions" in south Lebanon past a pullout deadline, vowing action against any truce violation by militant group Hezbollah.

The military "will remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon with five control positions, and will continue to act forcefully and uncompromisingly against any Hezbollah violation," said Katz in a statement shortly after an extended deadline expired for “Israel” to withdraw from Lebanon under the November 27 truce deal.