This was confirmed by the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Israel Katz.

"Starting today, the Israel Defense Forces will remain in the buffer zone in Lebanon at five control positions along the border line to ensure the protection of settlements in the north [of Israel]," he wrote on Twitter.

Katz stressed that the Israeli army "will fully continue its actions against [the armed formations of the Shiite party] Hezbollah." "We will not allow a return to reality on October 7 [2023]," the minister said.

On February 17, Ynet reported that the Israel Defense Forces would withdraw troops from southern Lebanon within the next 24 hours as part of a cease-fire agreement, but would remain at five strategic positions. According to Kan radio station, the Israeli army will maintain a presence in these five positions "indefinitely" after February 18 to prevent the resumption of activity of Hezbollah formations in southern Lebanon. tass.ru.