US announces first Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

Israeli forces have conducted a first withdrawal from a town in south Lebanon and were replaced by the Lebanese military under a ceasefire deal, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

The command's leader, General Erik Kurilla, "was present at the implementation and monitoring headquarters today during the ongoing first Israeli Defence Forces withdrawal and Lebanese Armed Forces replacement in Al-Khiam, Lebanon as part of the (ceasefire) agreement," CENTCOM said in a statement.

"This is an important first step in the implementation of a lasting cessation of hostilities and lays the foundation for continued progress," the statement quoted Gen Kurilla as saying.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that the stationing of troops "in the Khiam and Marjayoun areas today represents a fundamental step towards strengthening the army's deployment in the south, in implementation of the ceasefire decision."

"We salute the army's efforts" toward establishing "stability in the south," Mr Mikati said in a post on X.

The Israeli military meanwhile said its 7th Brigade had "concluded their mission in Khiam in southern Lebanon."

"In accordance with the ceasefire understandings and with the coordination of the United States, soldiers of the Lebanese Armed Forces are being deployed in the area together" with UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping mission in the area, the Israeli statement said.

Israel stepped up its military campaign in south Lebanon in late September after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah in support of its ally Hamas, following the Palestinian group's 7 October 2023 attack on southern Israel.

A ceasefire came into effect on 27 November and is generally holding, though both sides have accused the other of repeated violations.

As part of the agreement, the Lebanese army and United Nations peacekeepers will deploy in southern Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws over a period of 60 days.

Hezbollah is also meant to withdraw its forces north of the Litani river, about 30km from the border, and dismantle its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon.