Israeli Army Withdraws From Lebanon

UNIFIL UN Troops in Lebanon/PHOTO via Instagram @unifil_official

JAKARTA - The Israeli army reportedly withdrew its troops from the Khiam south of Lebanon, according to Israeli media.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN said the Lebanese army and the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) replaced Israeli forces in the city based on a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, December 12, KAN said the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Michael Kurila, arrived in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and observed the deployment of Lebanese troops in Khiam following the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

CENTCOM said General Kurila met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun, to discuss ongoing efforts to promote the continued cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Lebanese State News Agency NNA reported that Lebanese army troops had been stationed at five points around Khiam in coordination with UNIFIL forces.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon came into force on November 27 in hopes of ending 14 months of fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hezbollah.

In accordance with the terms of the ceasefire, Israel is required to withdraw its troops to the south of the Blue Line, which is the de facto border, gradually, while Lebanese soldiers are required to be stationed in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

More than 4,000 people have been killed and more than 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, as well as more than 1 million people displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.