The Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon beyond the 60-day deadline for withdrawal set out in the ceasefire deal with the militant group Hezbollah.
This was disclosed by the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu blamed the delay on the Lebanese Army for failing to take control of areas of southern Lebanon previously controlled by Hezbollah.
The 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force on 27 November, after more than a year of conflict.
The statement reads: “The outline for the ceasefire in Lebanon stipulates that the IDF’s phased withdrawal ‘should’ be implemented within 60 days.
“The clause was worded this way with the understanding that the withdrawal process may continue beyond 60 days.
“Since the ceasefire agreement has not yet been fully enforced by the State of Lebanon, the phased withdrawal process will continue, in full coordination with the United States.”