Will Israel pull out of Lebanon by February 18?

With the February 18 deadline for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon fast approaching, reports indicate that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested U.S. President Donald Trump to support an additional extension of the Israeli military’s deployment in the region.

Israel Aims to Maintain a Buffer Zone

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, Israel has proposed keeping its forces stationed at five strategic border locations, arguing that maintaining a buffer zone is necessary for security purposes.

Israel has repeatedly insisted to the United States that the Lebanese Army has not fully deployed in the southern region, as required under the ceasefire agreement, and has failed to prevent Hezbollah from reorganizing. Israeli officials have warned that the militant group plans to return to the border areas as soon as Israeli troops withdraw.

Ceasefire Agreement and Previous Deadline Extensions

Under the original November ceasefire deal, all Israeli troops were supposed to exit southern Lebanon by January 26, with Lebanese military forces taking their place. However, just two days before the deadline, Netanyahu announced that Israel would not withdraw, citing Lebanon’s alleged failure to meet its commitments.

Following this announcement, the White House confirmed that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to extend the withdrawal deadline to February 18.

U.S. Insists on February 18 as a Firm Withdrawal Date

Over the weekend, Morgan Ortagus, Trump’s deputy special envoy to the Middle East, visited Lebanon and Israel to assess the situation.

Speaking in Lebanon on Friday, Ortagus reaffirmed that February 18 remains a firm deadline for Israeli forces to complete their withdrawal.

“February 18th will be the date for redeployment when the IDF completes its withdrawal,” she stated at Lebanon’s presidential palace in Baabda.

She also emphasized that once Israeli forces depart, Lebanese Army units will immediately move in, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to ensuring the timeline is met.

Lebanon’s Role in the Ceasefire Agreement

As outlined in the original deal, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) were expected to deploy in the south alongside U.N. peacekeeping forces while Israel withdrew over a 60-day period. Additionally, Hezbollah was required to relocate north of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, and dismantle any military infrastructure in the south.

However, Israeli officials claim that their forces have continued to uncover Hezbollah weapons in restricted zones, further accusing the Lebanese military of failing to uphold its obligations under the agreement.

Israel Requests Further Extension Until February 28

On Monday, Lebanese MP Nabil Bader revealed that Israel had formally requested a 10-day extension, seeking to maintain its troop presence in southern Lebanon until February 28.

Meanwhile, Al-Jadeed TV reported that the ceasefire monitoring committee is set to meet before February 18, with Ortagus scheduled to return to Lebanon for further discussions ahead of the deadline.

While Israeli Channel 12 reported that Israeli officials are hopeful that Washington will agree to another extension to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing a foothold at the border, The Jerusalem Post contradicted this claim, stating that the U.S. has made it clear that no further extensions will be granted.

Washington Reaffirms Israel’s Withdrawal Timeline

On Monday, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, Brian Hughes, told The Jerusalem Post that Israel remains committed to the existing timeline and has not formally requested an extension beyond February 18.

Despite this statement, Israeli officials have acknowledged ongoing discussions with Washington as they attempt to negotiate improved security conditions on the ground.