Israel’s military said it would maintain a presence in five strategic locations along its border with Lebanon past a deadline to remove troops as part of a cease-fire deal with Hezbollah, garnering pushback from Beirut.

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel will keep troops in several posts in southern Lebanon past a February 18 deadline for them to withdraw, a military spokesperson said on Monday, as Israeli leaders sought to reassure northern residents that they can return home safely.

The announcement raised the specter of renewed fighting in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia.