ALBAWABA - The Israeli military claimed to have destroyed rocket launch locations and weapons stores that were purportedly targeted against Israeli territory during operations in South Lebanon. According to Haaretz, Israeli authorities have officially asked for a postponement of their troops' scheduled pullout from five sites in South Lebanon.
Joseph Aoun, the president of Lebanon, said that Beirut is actively working with the US and France to make sure Israel meets the pullout date of February 18. The Lebanese government has reiterated its desire for a complete withdrawal within the allotted period and denied claims of a prolonged truce beyond the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Speaking to reporters, Aoun said that Lebanon is dedicated to achieving a full Israeli withdrawal and that further diplomatic efforts are meant to make Israel responsible for its obligations under the ceasefire deal.
Washington extended the date for the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from January 26 to February 18 after Tel Aviv failed to fulfill the initial deadline. Concerns over the agreement's execution have been aroused, meanwhile, by recent Israeli military activities and its latest request for an additional postponement.
Israel has reportedly requested an extension of the departure deadline until February 28 from the U.S. and the international monitoring committee, citing security concerns. Lebanon, meanwhile, has flatly denied this request.
