Overview

• 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.