Lebanese Army Deploys to Southern Town Following Israeli Withdrawal, Official Says

DPA

Black smoke rises over Kfar Tebniet, during an Israeli-controlled detonation amid a U.S.-brokered withdrawal framework.

Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew from the area in line with a U.S.-brokered plan, Reuters reported citing a senior Lebanese security ‌official.

The plan foresees Lebanese army troops confiscating weapons from the Iran-aligned Hezbollah group in parts of southern Lebanon and phased withdrawals of Israeli troops, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, the Israeli military said on Monday that the plan, dubbed the pilot zone programme, has begun. It had no immediate comment on Tuesday.

Tuesday's transfer of territory marks the first major test of the plan, which Lebanese authorities hope will allow the state to re-establish control over a roughly 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) strip of land inside the country that remains under Israeli military occupation.

Dozens of villages in the area have been devastated, with key public infrastructure—including hospitals, power stations and water pumping facilities—either damaged or destroyed. Tens of thousands of displaced residents have been unable to return to their homes.

The latest escalation between Hezbollah and Israel began in early March, two days after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Hezbollah said its military operations were carried out in support of Tehran.

The Lebanese army said its units began deploying in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh region on Tuesday.

The army renewed a call for residents not to enter the town until the security situation stabilises and to follow instructions from deployed military units for their own safety.



PUKMEDIA