Israeli forces withdraw from one area in Lebanon as part of ceasefire agreement
Israel begins withdrawing troops from southern Lebanon (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed the withdrawal of troops from the vicinity of Khiam, a town in southern Lebanon. This pullback is being carried out under a ceasefire agreement reached in November, reports The Times of Israel.
At the same time, Israeli forces emphasized that they remain present in other areas of southern Lebanon. The IDF stated that the army will continue to act against any threats.
Earlier on Thursday, December 11, Lebanese military officials announced the deployment of their forces in Khiam following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the town, in coordination with UNIFIL.
The army has also urged Lebanese civilians to avoid these areas, as military personnel are conducting a sweep of the town for unexploded ordnance.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF is expected to withdraw from all areas of southern Lebanon by the end of January 2025.
تمركُز وحدات الجيش حول بلدة الخيام
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) December 11, 2024
صدر عن قيادة الجيش - مديرية التوجيه البيان الآتي:
تمركزت وحدات الجيش في خمسة مواقع حول بلدة الخيام - مرجعيون بالتنسيق مع قوة الأمم المتحدة المؤقتة في لبنان- اليونيفيل ضمن إطار المرحلة الأولى من الانتشار في المنطقة، بالتزامن مع انسحاب العدو… pic.twitter.com/1Q0tL85A3J
Israel-Lebanese Hezbollah ceasefire
In November, Israel and the Hezbollah organization, operating in Lebanon, reached an agreement to initiate a ceasefire.
Under this agreement, Israel is required to withdraw its forces from Lebanese territory, while Hezbollah militants are to leave the southern part of Lebanon.
Amid these developments, on November 29, the Israel Defense Forces released a report detailing their activities against Hezbollah in Lebanon over the past 14 months, framed within the context of the ceasefire agreement reached with the militants.
Israel's ground military operation in Lebanon began overnight on October 1. At the time, the IDF stated that the operation aimed to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure, which had been consistently shelling Israeli territory, particularly the country’s northern regions.
However, following the ceasefire agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hezbollah of a severe violation of the truce on December 2. The accusation referred to militant shelling of Israeli military positions near Mount Dov.
Netanyahu also pledged a response to the ceasefire breach. On the same day, December 2, Israeli forces conducted strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
