UNIFIL is responsible for implementing the ceasefire deal on the ground along with the Lebanese army [AFP/Getty]
Israeli forces have reportedly begun pulling out of southern Lebanon in line with a ceasefire deal, making way for the Lebanese military to move in.
Local media reports said Israeli soldiers began withdrawing from the border town of Khiam, which saw weeks of heavy fighting during the war.
A team from the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) entered Khiam to confirm that the Israeli army had left, making sure the road was clear for the Lebanese army to move in.
The state-run National News Agency reported that a UNIFIL Engineering Regiment team entered Khiam from the north to inspect the road “and confirm the enemy army’s withdrawal”.
A Lebanese army force was waiting to enter the town after receiving the green light from UNIFIL, which acts as a mediator.
The first phase of the army’s deployment will begin with engineering teams, who will open roads and inspect unexploded ordnance, and ensure that all Israeli forces have left before more Lebanese soldiers are stationed.
According to the US-brokered ceasefire deal, in line with UN Resolution 1701, the Israeli army has 60 days to exit south Lebanon, where the Lebanese Armed Forces will gradually deploy thousands of its troops. Hezbollah must move its fighters and heavy weapons behind the Litani River.
Lebanon’s military and UNIFIL are tasked with maintaining peace in the country’s south, ensuring no unauthorised arms exist, and dismantling all militant infrastructure. Beirut has said it wants to deploy up to 10,000 soldiers in south Lebanon.
Wednesday’s development will be the first time Tel Aviv calls back troops from southern Lebanon, which they invaded at the start of October this year. The invasion came days after year-long fighting with Hezbollah spiralled into a devastating all-out war that killed thousands in Lebanon.
Israel said its presence in a large security border zone was because it was combing the region to make sure all Hezbollah installations were destroyed before it pulled out. The Israeli army has issued daily warnings to residents not to approach this no-go area.
It has vowed to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities and warned to strike hard if it attempts to do so.
Despite coming into effect on 27 November, Israel has continued to violate the ceasefire deal. Hundreds of violations have included home detonations, shooting at civilians, and airstrikes believed to be in line with Israel’s scorched earth strategy.
At least one person was killed and another wounded on Wednesday in the border village of Aynata in an Israeli strike. At least two dozen people have been killed in Lebanon since the ceasefire came into effect.
A multinational committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire deal has yet to properly begin its work. The committee includes generals from the US, who is leading it, as well as France, Israel, Lebanon and the UN.
