Israel unlikely to withdraw soon from five key positions in Lebanon

Israeli troops are unlikely to withdraw from five military positions in southern Lebanon any time soon, despite calls from Lebanon for a full pull-out, Lebanese, French and US sources have told The National, quoting “strategic reasons”. The Israeli military has maintained its positions since a ceasefire took effect in late November with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, after more than a year of hostilities, including two months of intense conflict during which Israel sent in troops.