The US Central Command (CENTCOM) celebrated this Thursday (12) the first withdrawal of Israeli troops from a strategic city in southern Lebanon, Khiam, in compliance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah.
“This is an important first step in implementing a lasting cessation of hostilities and lays the groundwork for continued progress,” CENTCOM Commander Michael Kurilla said in a statement after visiting Beirut and meeting with the Army chief. Lebanese, Joseph Aoun.
The two military leaders also analyzed efforts to maintain the ceasefire, in force since November 27, and the work of the US-led cessation of hostilities monitoring mechanism, which has assistance from France, the US peacekeeping mission and UN in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the Israeli and Lebanese Armies.
The Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, celebrated this Wednesday (11) the first deployment of the country’s Army in regions close to the border with Israel.
Also on Wednesday, the Lebanese Army, in coordination with UNIFIL, positioned itself around the city of Khiam, about six kilometers north of Israel, where there was fierce fighting with Hezbollah before the truce came into force.
The ceasefire envisages the departure of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the withdrawal of the terrorist group north of the Litani River within 60 days.
After the truce came into effect, Israeli forces bombed Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure, especially in southern Lebanon, while the militia launched rockets into northern Israel on at least one occasion.
Still, the ceasefire remains in force and hostilities have decreased considerably.
The Israeli army said it still remains deployed in other areas of southern Lebanon and will continue to operate against any threats.