The US military on Wednesday announced the first withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon under a cease-fire with the militant group Hezbollah. Israeli soldiers withdrew from the city of Khyam, where they were replaced by the Lebanese army. This was reported by the AFP agency, writes TASR. “It is an important first step in realizing a permanent cessation of hostilities and lays the foundation for continued progress.” said the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Erik Kurilla, who was present at the monitoring center.
The Israeli army has announced the “end of the mission” of its 7th brigade in Khiam, with the fact that Lebanese soldiers have started arriving in the area along with members of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL). The Pentagon later said that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken to his Israeli counterpart Yisrael Kaka by phone and told him that the United States was working with its partners to promote a ceasefire. He emphasized that the ceasefire can create conditions for a permanent cessation of fighting and the return of residents from both sides of the border to their homes.
Israel stepped up military operations in southern Lebanon in late September, nearly a year after Hezbollah launched cross-border attacks in support of its ally, the Palestinian movement Hamas. Its militants launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel in September 2023, leading to a war in the Gaza Strip. A cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah entered into force on November 27 and is generally being observedalthough both sides accuse each other of repeatedly violating it.
As part of the agreement, units of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL will be stationed in southern Lebanon, with the Israeli army to withdraw within 60 days and Hezbollah to move its forces north of the Lítani River, about 30 kilometers north of the border.
