Hezbollah calls for Israel to completely leave Lebanon by February 18

Hezbollah’s leader has called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese land by February 18.

Hezbollah’s leader has stated that Israeli forces must leave Lebanese land by February 18 and that Israel has “no pretext” to keep any kind of military presence in southern Lebanon after that date.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem stressed in a recorded broadcast speech on Sunday that any Israeli forces that remained in Lebanon past the deadline would be regarded as an occupying force.

“This is the agreement; there is no pretext, no five points, or other details. Israel must withdraw fully on February 18,” Qassem stated. He continued, without specifically threatening more attacks on Israel, saying, “Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with.”

The deadline for withdrawal is a result of a truce mediated by the United States in November that gave Israel 60 days to evacuate southern Lebanon, where it has been fighting Hezbollah fighters on foot since early October. Later, the deadline was moved until February 18. Nonetheless, the Israeli military has asked to remain present at five locations in the region.

Although Washington has not publicly verified the news, an Israeli public television said last Wednesday that the US had approved a “long-term” Israeli military deployment in southern Lebanon.

At least three Israeli airstrikes struck Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley during Qassem’s address. The strikes were carried out, according to the Israeli military, after it discovered Hezbollah activity at locations with rocket launchers and other weaponry.

Qassem also urged the Lebanese government to remove the restriction on Iranian flights arriving in Beirut and demanded an Israeli withdrawal. After Israel accused Iran of using commercial aircraft to transport money into Lebanon to arm Hezbollah, the prohibition was put in place until February 18.

Numerous Lebanese nationals who had been on a religious pilgrimage and were to return via Iran’s Mahan Air were left stranded in Iran as a result of the restriction. Iran responded by denying the Lebanese aircraft the ability to land after Lebanon sent two planes to fetch them.

Outside Beirut airport on Saturday, Hezbollah supporters demonstrated against the ban, sparking altercations with Lebanese troops who dispersed the crowds using tear gas.

The Lebanese government’s decision was denounced by Qassem, who called it “the implementation of an Israeli order.”

He answered, “Let the plane land and we’ll see what Israel does.”