US envoy Amos Hochstein has confirmed that Israel will completely withdraw its military from southern Lebanon, adhering to the terms of a fragile ceasefire agreement reached in November following a protracted conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Hochstein made this announcement during a press conference in Beirut, where he noted that the Israeli military had begun its withdrawal from the town of Naqoura. "These withdrawals will continue until Israeli forces are fully out of Lebanon," he stated, emphasizing that significant progress has been made in recent days, with an expectation for further advancements in the coming period.

The IDF's withdrawal from Naqoura marks a critical step towards fulfilling the terms of the ceasefire, which stipulates that all Israeli forces need to exit Lebanon within 60 days from the agreement, set to expire on January 26. However, Israeli media has reported that the military’s leadership remains hesitant about fully honoring this timeline, raising concerns among the Lebanese officials.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed strong opposition to any delays in the withdrawal process. Since the ceasefire's implementation, the Israeli military has been involved in repeated aerial attacks and ground incursions into Lebanese territory, actions deemed violations of the ceasefire protocol.

Despite the ongoing withdrawals, tensions remain high as Hezbollah has facilitated its activities while maintaining restraint on direct confrontations, except for a single warning attack against Israeli forces. Hezbollah officials have indicated a willingness to pursue diplomatic resolutions to the escalating tensions, although the group's military chief, Naim Qassem, hinted at potential escalations should negotiations fail to progress within the stipulated timeframe.

Amidst these developments, Hochstein has reiterated that the ceasefire is holding, albeit under fragile conditions. "This process is not smooth, but it is successful," he commented on the situation at the borders, hinting at the complexities involved in upholding the ceasefire.

For more details on this developing story, visit Al Jazeera and The New York Times.