Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon except for 5 points

The Lebanese National News Agency reported on Tuesday morning that the Israeli army had withdrawn from the villages and towns it had occupied in the south of the country, with the exception of 5 main points along the border.

The official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation stated that the Israeli army's presence at these five points inside Lebanese territory came "within the framework of coordination with the United States."

The Lebanese News Agency said, "The Israeli forces withdrew at dawn from the villages and towns they occupied in the south, namely Yaroun, Maroun al-Ras, Blida, Mays al-Jabal, Houla, Markaba, Adaisseh, Kfar Kila, and al-Wazzani."

She added that the Lebanese army began deploying in the villages of Blida, Mays al-Jabal and Markaba following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from these sites.

In contrast, the agency reported that Israel maintained its presence at "five main points along the border," on the pretext that these points are opposite major settlement blocs.

She explained that these points are the "Labouna Hills" in the outskirts of Naqoura, which are opposite the most prominent settlements in the Western Galilee from Rosh Hanikra to Shlomi and Nahariya.

Israel also maintained the deployment of its forces at the "Jabal Balat" point between Marouhin and Ramia, which faces the settlements of Shtula and Zar'it, in addition to "Jal al-Deir and Jabal al-Bat" in the outskirts of Aitaroun, which face the settlements of Avivim, Yiftah and al-Malikiyah, according to the same agency.

In the eastern sector, the “Dawair” point on the Markaba-Hula road faces Wadi Hunin and the Margaliot settlement, while the “Hamames Hill” point faces the Metula settlement.

The Israeli army was supposed to complete its withdrawal from the areas it occupied in southern Lebanon at dawn on January 26, according to the deadline set in the ceasefire agreement of 60 days starting from its entry into force on November 27, 2024.

According to the Israeli Army Radio, on Monday, the number of forces that will remain on the border with Lebanon will be approximately three times greater than what was there before the war.

Israel's aggression against Lebanon began on October 8, 2023, and turned into a full-scale war on September 23, leaving 4,104 dead and 16,890 wounded, including a large number of children and women, in addition to the displacement of about 1,400,000 people.

Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect, Israel has committed at least 925 violations in Lebanon, leaving at least 74 dead and 265 wounded, according to a tally by Anadolu Agency based on official Lebanese data.

Anatolia