Creators: Stephane Cohen, Mora Deitch and Orna Mizrahi
This map focuses on the deployment of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese Army as part of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement signed between the parties on November 27, 2024. Under this agreement, the IDF will gradually withdraw from the territory it entered during the ground maneuver that began on October 1, 2024, with the Lebanese Army deploying in its place. The Lebanese Army, along with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), will be responsible for implementing the agreement, with a particular focus on preventing Hezbollah’s renewed military entrenchment in southern Lebanon.
The operation was initially planned for completion within six months. However, Israel requested to extend its presence in the area due to the significant resources and time required to dismantle Hezbollah’s capabilities, as well as the difficulties faced by the Lebanese Army in deploying across the region. The revised withdrawal deadline was set for February 18, 2025. On that date, the IDF indeed withdrew from Lebanon and repositioned along the Blue Line—except for five strategic points in a small but significant area along the border, near Israeli communities. Israel argues that maintaining control over these points is critical for ensuring security and a sense of safety for northern residents. Nevertheless, this decision has sparked widespread criticism in Lebanon, both from Hezbollah—which claims that Israel’s continued presence and operations against the organization reflect offensive intentions—and from the new Lebanese leadership, which demands a complete Israeli withdrawal to demonstrate to all parties in Lebanon that it is capable of dealing with Israel instead of Hezbollah.
The map highlights the five IDF outposts located north of the Blue Line and marks areas where ceasefire violations have been recorded. Additionally, it documents Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Hezbollah attacks on Israel during the Swords of Iron War, including Operation Northern Arrows.
The map is continuously updated as accurately as possible, based on open-source intelligence assessments and media reports.