Israel, Lebanon hold talks on trial withdrawal from border villages

Israeli and Lebanese military officers have opened US-mediated negotiations to define criteria for a Hezbollah-free zone ahead of a planned trial withdrawal from two villages in southern Lebanon, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported Sunday. The contacts aim to prevent misunderstandings that could hinder implementation of the agreement, particularly following earlier disputes over defining such zones, according to unnamed Israeli security sources cited by the broadcaster.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security consultation on Sunday with senior defense officials to discuss developments on the Lebanese front and the planned withdrawal, KAN added. Israel is awaiting confirmation from the Lebanese army and US Central Command that Lebanese forces are ready to deploy before the withdrawal begins, an unnamed Israeli official told the broadcaster.

Withdrawal timeline

The official noted that Israel has not yet started withdrawing from the two pilot areas and that the move is expected to begin in the coming weeks if arrangements are completed. Under a US-mediated framework agreement signed on June 26, Israel agreed to carry out a gradual withdrawal from Lebanese territory, beginning with the two trial areas.

Ceasefire terms

The agreement does not set a specific timetable for a full Israeli withdrawal and links further redeployments to the Lebanese army assuming full security responsibility and the disarmament of non-state armed groups, in an apparent reference to Hezbollah.

Israel has continued military operations in Lebanon since March 2, killing more than 4,300 people and injuring over 12,000 others, according to official figures. Israeli forces also continue to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war, while advancing more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory during the latest offensive.