Israel's army has pulled out of southern Lebanese villages but remains in five positions, as a delayed withdrawal deadline expired Tuesday under a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.

The ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group has been in effect since November 27, following more than a year of hostilities, including two months of all-out war in which Israel launched ground operations.

Israel had announced hours before the pullout deadline that it would keep troops in "five strategic points" near the border, and on Tuesday its defence minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the deployment and vowed action against any "violation" by Hezbollah.

A Lebanese security source earlier told AFP that "the Israeli army has withdrawn from all border villages except for five points."

Lebanon's army announced it had deployed in southern border villages and areas from which Israeli troops have pulled.

Hezbollah strongholds in south and east Lebanon as well as Beirut suffered heavy destruction during the of cross-border hostilities.

Hezbollah launched the attacks in support of ally Hamas, at war with Israel in the Gaza........

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