(18 Feb 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jerusalem – 18 February 2025
1. Wide of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on stage during media briefing
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister:
“We will begin negotiations on the second phase of the hostage deal. Israel is committed to our goal to ensure the release of all our hostages. We also committed to all the objectives of the war as were decided by the security cabinet.”
3. Wide of Saar on stage during briefing
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister:
“With regards to Lebanon – as part of the ceasefire agreement in the north, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will complete the withdrawal from Lebanon today. We are temporarily remaining in five strategic high points necessary for our security. We are completing the withdrawal despite the violations of the agreement. The most basic violation is the presence of Hezbollah activists south of the Litani River. Unfortunately, it continues to be the reality. Once Lebanon fully implements its side of the deal, there will be no need to hold these points.”
5. Wide of Saar on stage during briefing
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Gideon Saar, Israeli Foreign Minister:
“I said very clearly – if someone wants to immigrate, we should give him a free choice. This is accepted everywhere in the world, it should be accepted also there (Gaza). On the other hand, you need a country which is ready to accept, if both conditions are met, I don’t understand what’s the problem.”
7. Close of journalist on laptop
8. Mid of Saar on stage during briefing
9. Mid of Saar walking down stage
STORYLINE:
Israel said its military will remain in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon after Tuesday’s deadline for their withdrawal under a ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group.
"The IDF will complete the withdrawal from Lebanon today. We are temporarily remaining in five strategic high points necessary for our security," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Tuesday.
"We are completing the withdrawal despite the violations of the agreement. The most basic violation is the presence of Hezbollah activists south of the Litani River," Gideon added during a media briefing.
The 60-day ceasefire that was supposed to end on Jan. 27 — with an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and Hezbollah ending its armed presence along the border area — was extended until Tuesday.
One of these locations is the Hamamis hill on the southern outskirts of Khiam.
On Monday, bulldozers could be seen from a distance building what appeared to be fortifications in a sign that Israel’s military is planning to stay long beyond Tuesday’s deadline.
Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said in a speech on Sunday that Israel must withdraw fully from Lebanon on Tuesday, adding that “there is no pretext for five points nor other details.”
He said the Lebanese state should prevent Israel from staying in the country after Tuesday as stated in the ceasefire deal.
Saar also said he doesn’t understand “what’s the problem,” and “ if someone wants to immigrate, we should give him a free choice,” following President Donald Trump’s proposal to depopulate Gaza Strip.
AP video shot by Moshe Edri
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: info@aparchive.com.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ffd9bdd6bb554d439b4ad4380d751893
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in February 23, 2025, 12:04 pm.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
