Israel Begins Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon Under Ceasefire Agreement

The phased withdrawal follows a U.S.- and France-brokered deal requiring both Israeli and Hezbollah forces to pull back, with Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers taking over security duties.

Israeli forces have started their withdrawal from the town of Al-Chiam in southern Lebanon as part of a ceasefire agreement reached in late November.
The agreement mandates Israel's phased pullout within 60 days and Hezbollah's retreat beyond the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometers north of the border.
Lebanese army units and UN peacekeepers (UNIFIL) are being deployed to maintain security in the vacated areas.
The ceasefire follows a year of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified after the October 2023 Gaza war and cross-border attacks.
U.S. Central Command officials, including General Erik Kurilla, are overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire, which is seen as a potential step toward long-term stability in the region.