Israeli official says troops to leave 5 hills when Lebanese army gains full control

Israel does not intend to remain "forever" on the five hills that its troops are still occupying in south Lebanon, an Israeli security source told Sky News Arabia.

The source said the troops will withdraw once the Lebanese states extends its authority on all Lebanese territories, adding that Israel has "no interest" in Lebanese territories.

"Israel is monitoring Hezbollah's attempts to rebuild its capabilities in south Lebanon, particularly by establishing observation posts in southern villages," the source said, warning that Israel "will take action" if the Lebanese army fails to halt these attempts.

Israel has said the five hilltops deemed "strategic" are important for security and provide key vantage points to monitor Hezbollah movements and prevent potential threats along the border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel "will not give up" the five hills after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the troops are staying indefinitely and that the army's withdrawal is "situation-dependent and not time-dependent."