The Lebanese army has announced the withdrawal of the majority of its troops from several border towns as Israeli forces continue their ground operations into the country.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing the AP news agency, that the Lebanese military has begun a strategic redeployment of its assets away from the immediate frontier.
According to official statements from the Lebanese military, troops are gradually pulling back from various border positions. Residents of the Christian-populated settlements of Rmeish and Ain Ebel have reportedly appealed to the Lebanese army leadership and government officials, requesting that the military remain in their areas to provide security during the escalation.
Amid the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah militants, Israel has declared a security zone in southern Lebanon extending toward the Litani River. Israeli authorities stated that residents would only be permitted to return to these areas after official clearance is granted. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with more than 1 million people displaced within Lebanon over the past month due to the intensification of hostilities.
The Litani River, located approximately 30 kilometers north of the border, has historically served as a strategic landmark in regional security arrangements. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict, the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River was intended to be free of any armed personnel and weapons other than those of the Lebanese government and UNIFIL peacekeepers. The current escalation marks one of the most significant military shifts in the region in nearly two decades.
