Hezbollah leader demands full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon by February 18

Hezbollah's Secretary General, Naim Qassem has issued a stark warning to Israel, demanding the complete withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon by February 18, a deadline he described as non-negotiable.

In a televised speech on February 16, Qassem, declared that Israel had no justification for maintaining any military presence in Lebanon beyond this date, describing the situation as a violation of the terms agreed upon under a ceasefire brokered by Washington in November, Caliber.Az reports.

The truce, which had originally given Israel 60 days to withdraw its forces, was extended until February 18. However, reports have suggested that Israel requested to keep troops stationed at five posts in the region, an extension that was met with resistance from Hezbollah.

Qassem emphasized that Israel must withdraw entirely by the deadline, asserting that any continued Israeli presence would be seen as an occupying force. “Israel must withdraw completely on February 18, it has no pretext, no five points or other details… this is the agreement,” Qassem stated.

While he refrained from directly threatening military action, he hinted that Hezbollah would not tolerate an occupation, adding, "Everyone knows how an occupation is dealt with."

Tensions escalated as, during Qassem's speech, Israeli air strikes targeted Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley. Israel's military claimed the strikes were in response to Hezbollah activity, including the presence of rocket launchers and other weaponry.

In addition to the military conflict, Qassem also called for the Lebanese government to lift its ban on Iranian flights arriving in Beirut. The ban, which had been imposed due to Israeli allegations that Iran was using civilian aircraft to smuggle money and arms to Hezbollah, is set to end on February 18.

The decision has led to a diplomatic row, as dozens of Lebanese citizens were left stranded in Iran, unable to return home on Mahan Air flights. Attempts to retrieve the stranded nationals via Lebanese planes were thwarted after Iran denied them landing rights.

Hezbollah supporters gathered outside Beirut's airport on February 15 in protest, but the demonstration turned violent when Lebanese forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Qassem condemned the ban, describing it as "the implementation of an Israeli order" and challenged Lebanon's authorities to allow the Iranian flights to land, stating, "Let the plane land, and we will see what Israel will do."

As the February 18 deadline looms, the region remains on edge, with Hezbollah vowing to resist any Israeli military presence and tensions between Lebanon, Israel, and Iran continuing to rise.

By Aghakazim Guliyev