US confirms first withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon under ceasefire deal

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they have withdrawn their forces from the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon in accordance with the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

By: Express Web Desk

December 12, 2024 09:55 AM IST

3 min read

An Israeli soldier works on loading a tank onto a transport truck at an area near the Israeli-Lebanese border, as seen from northern Israel. (AP Photo)

The United States military has confirmed the first withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon under a ceasefire agreement which was reached last month, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Thursday that they have withdrawn their forces from the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon in accordance with the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.

However, the Israeli military added that it still remains in other parts of southern Lebanon and will operate against any threat posed to Israel and its citizens.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said Army General Michael Kurilla, a CENTCOM commander visited the command centre in Beirut where the ceasefire monitoring is being conducted and met with the commander of Lebanon’s armed forces, General Joseph Aoun.

A 60 day truce was brokered between Israel and Lebanon based Hezbollah militant group in November by US and France, which primarily focuses on phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon and replacing the region with the Lebanese army.

CENTCOM said “Kurilla was there to monitor the ongoing first Israeli Defense Forces withdrawal and Lebanese Armed Forces replacement in Al Khiam, Lebanon, as part of the agreement.”

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“This is an important first step in the implementation of a lasting cessation of hostilities and lays the foundation for continued progress,” Kurilla said.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah militants are required to leave their positions in southern Lebanon to move north of the Litani river, which runs about 20 miles (30 km) north of the border with Israel.

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