Lebanon has called on Israel to withdraw all its forces from Lebanese territory, warning that any remaining troop presence would constitute an “occupation”. Tuesday marked the deadline for Israel to withdraw under a US-brokered deal that sought to end its devastating offensive in south Lebanon that began in September following months of cross-border fire between it and Hizbollah.

Israel’s military says its forces will remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon after Tuesday’s deadline for their withdrawal under a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group.