Any prolonged Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon could breathe new life into Hezbollah, challenging the political momentum of Lebanon’s new president and prime minister.

The deadline for the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon expired early on Sunday, but troops will remain in some areas as Israel says a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah has not been fully implemented.

Israel is slowly withdrawing from Lebanese villages it occupied, as part of a ceasefire deal. Lebanese residents waiting to return to their villages say the Israeli military has destroyed nearly everything.