Israel said its forces will remain in southern Lebanon after UN and Lebanese forces moved too slowly under the truce with Hezbollah established in November, which remains unfulfilled.

"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," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement Friday.

Both the Trump and Biden administrations have publicly claimed credit for pushing the agreement over the line.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that Israel’s truce with Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, due to expire this weekend, will be extended.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem congratulated Palestinians on Saturday over the Gaza ceasefire deal, saying in a speech that it proved the "persistence of resistance" against Israel. The remarks were the first in public by the leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group since Israel and Hamas reached the accord on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu hints at a potential delay in Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon by the ceasefire deadline, amid US support for an extension.

Negotiations have been taking place on extending the January 27 deadline to ensure the conflict isn’t resumed.

Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon past the ceasefire deadline due to incomplete agreement implementation. The ceasefire required Hezbollah's retreat and Israeli withdrawal, contingent on Lebanese military deployment.

Israel is slowly withdrawing from Lebanese villages it occupied, as part of a ceasefire deal. Lebanese residents waiting to return to their villages say the Israeli military has destroyed nearly everything.

We explore Donald Trump's bold assertion that lower oil prices could end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Having entered the White House with claims he could bring the conflict to a halt in 24 hours, Trump now believes pressuring OPEC to boost oil production could force President Putin to the negotiating table.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli forces will remain in southern Lebanon beyond a 60-day deadline stipulated in a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah because its terms have not been fully implemented, the Israeli prime minister's office said on Friday.