Israel will hold onto five strategic high points just inside Lebanon after next Tuesday’s ceasefire deadline requiring it to withdraw all troops, a top Israeli government official says.

Israel has requested to keep its troops in five posts in southern Lebanon until February 28, a Lebanese official and foreign diplomat told Reuters on Wednesday.

Israel is seeking another extension of the deadline for the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon, a Western diplomatic source says, a request that is likely to raise new concerns in a country with a history of Israeli occupation.

Washington official confirms Jerusalem asked for extension but says administration planning on keeping to February 18 date for IDF exit

Under ceasefire deal, Israel supposed to complete withdrawal by Jan. 26, but deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply - Anadolu Ajansı