Image@ Reuters
The Lebanese Armed Forces have started moving into designated trial areas in southern Lebanon after Israeli troops initiated a partial withdrawal under a United States-mediated arrangement reached last month.
Military officials in Beirut announced on Tuesday that soldiers had been deployed to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh district as part of the first phase of the initiative.
Residents were advised to avoid returning to the village until security conditions improve and to follow instructions issued by the military.
The deployment follows Israel’s confirmation on Monday that the pilot phase of the agreement had begun.
The plan provides for a limited Israeli redeployment from selected locations captured during fighting with Hezbollah, alongside efforts aimed at removing the Iran-backed group’s weapons from those areas.
The latest developments come ahead of talks in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
During the meeting, Aoun is expected to seek stronger American support for Lebanon’s military and press Washington to encourage Israel to end its presence in the remaining occupied parts of southern Lebanon.
The US State Department confirmed that operations were underway in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Froun and Srifa under the Trilateral Framework involving Lebanon, Israel and the United States.
American officials described the move as an important step forward following negotiations held in Rome last week between representatives of both countries.
Israeli defence officials stated that forces would reduce their footprint in one of the designated sectors to enable Lebanese troops to assume responsibility while maintaining Israel’s ability to respond to any perceived security threats.
However, Israel stressed that its military would continue to hold a 10-kilometre security belt along the frontier for as long as it considers necessary to protect communities in northern Israel.
Lebanese military authorities also indicated that operations had already begun in Froun and Srifa, while an Israeli source quoted by local media said Israeli soldiers were no longer stationed in those two villages.
The conflict intensified on 2 March after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel following a strike that reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader.
Israel responded with widespread air attacks across Lebanon and a ground offensive in the country’s south.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the hostilities have claimed more than 4,300 lives, including hundreds of children, women and medical personnel.
Israeli officials, meanwhile, report that 37 soldiers and four civilians have been killed since fighting escalated along the border.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong