The Israeli military said it would remain in what it called “five strategic points” in southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials have called for Israel’s full withdrawal.

Lebanese leaders said they were in contact with the United States and France to press Israel to fully withdraw, branding its continued presence in five places an "occupation" after a ceasefire deadline expired on Tuesday.

Lebanese media say a woman has been killed and several people wounded after Israeli forces opened fire on a group of residents attempting to return to a village.

The Israeli military said Thursday it destroyed several sites in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv. A military statement alleged that the sites housed stockpiles of missiles, rockets, mortar shells, grenades, explosives, and firearms.

Lebanon said any Israeli presence on its soil constituted "occupation", warning it would refer to the UN Security Council to push Israel to withdraw and that its armed forces were ready to assume duties at the border.

Under the deal, Lebanon's military was to deploy in the south alongside United Nations peacekeepers as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period that was later extended to Feb. 18.

Israel killed on Monday a Hamas leader in southern Lebanon's Sidon area, the Israeli military and a Hamas official said.

Israeli ministers said some troops would remain inside Lebanon to protect Israel's northern communities. In response, Lebanon said Israel must withdraw completely. It said it would consider "the continued Israeli presence in any inch of Lebanese territory an occupation".