ISRAELI forces today remained in five strategic overlook locations inside Lebanon, despite a deadline to withdraw troops under the US-brokered ceasefire deal. 

The forces withdrew from border villages in southern Lebanon.

Top Lebanese leaders condemned the continued military presence as an occupation and a violation of the deal, which required a full withdrawal by today.

Lebanese soldiers moved into vacated areas, clearing Israeli roadblocks and checking for unexploded ordnance.

They blocked the main road leading to some villages while searching for explosives.

Most villagers waited by the roadside for permission to check on their homes, but some pushed past barriers.

Many homes were demolished during the yearlong war or in the two months after November’s ceasefire while Israeli forces were still occupying the area.

In the border village of Kfar Kila, people said they were stunned by the amount of destruction, with entire sections of homes wiped out.

Some knelt in prayer in the main square.

“What I’m seeing is beyond belief. I am in a state of shock,” said construction contractor Khodor Suleiman, pointing to his destroyed home on a hilltop which he was forced to leave six months ago.

“I am feeling [both] happiness and pain.”

Shi’ite cleric Abbas Fadallah said his family’s 105-year-old home was now rubble.

Mr Fadallah said he is happy to return but sad because “many civilians were martyred.”

Kfar Kila mayor Hassan Sheet said that 90 per cent of homes were completely destroyed while the remaining 10 per cent were damaged.

“There are no homes nor buildings standing,” he said, adding that rebuilding will start from scratch.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the army would maintain a “buffer zone” in Lebanon with five control posts to guard against ceasefire violations by Hezbollah.

He added that Israel had reinforced border positions.

Lebanon’s president, prime minister, and parliament speaker issued a joint statement calling Israel’s continued presence a violation of the ceasefire and urged the United Nations security council to act.

“The continued Israeli presence in any inch of Lebanese territory is an occupation, with all the legal consequences that result from that according to international legitimacy,” the statement said.

The UN special co-ordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the head of the UN peacekeeping force, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lazaro, also criticised Israel’s continued military presence but said it should not “overshadow the tangible progress” made.