The issue of Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon is entering a new phase with the announcement that a US security and military delegation is preparing to visit the capital Beirut next week. This step aims to finalize the technical and logistical arrangements for a trial withdrawal of occupation forces from two border areas, as part of implementing the terms of the security agreement concluded between the concerned parties.
Informed sources reported that the anticipated delegation belongs to the US Central Command, and will be responsible for direct oversight of the first phase of the agreement's implementation. This phase includes an initial withdrawal from the fringes of the areas where Israeli forces encroached during recent ground operations, to ensure a gradual transfer of security responsibilities.
Field assessments indicate that the evacuation process will primarily include the towns of Zawtar Al-Sharqiyah and Zawtar Al-Gharbiyah, while discussions have mentioned the town of Frun as an additional option. Despite these leaks, field reports indicate that occupation forces are not actually stationed within the town of Frun, shifting the focus to the adjacent border villages.
For its part, Hebrew media reported that the expected timeline for implementing this withdrawal might extend over the next two weeks, following the conclusion of the US delegation's visit to Lebanon. However, the Lebanese side continues to demand a formal and clear timetable that translates verbal commitments into concrete actions on the ground, away from procrastination.
Israel is setting conditions for implementing this step, most notably obtaining final approval from the US Central Command and ensuring the Lebanese Army's ability to deploy immediately. Tel Aviv rejects the idea of an uncoordinated gradual withdrawal, emphasizing the necessity for the Lebanese Army to take over positions immediately after its forces leave to ensure the non-return of armed manifestations.
In the context of diplomatic pressure, media sources reported that the US administration explicitly requested the Israeli side to halt military operations described as 'unusual'. Washington aims with this request to prevent any field escalation that could undermine ongoing understandings with Beirut or negatively affect open diplomatic channels.
Despite these American requests, the field reality continues to witness ongoing tensions, as occupation forces continue demolition and destruction operations of buildings in areas under their control. Air raids and targeting also continued in areas outside the scope of the ground incursion, the latest of which was an attack targeting a civilian vehicle in the town of Kafr Rumman.
In Beirut, there is a state of caution regarding Israeli proposals, as Lebanese officials emphasize the necessity of dealing with border areas as an integrated geographical unit. Lebanon rejects partial withdrawal formulas, demanding that the step include the entire area of Zawtar Al-Sharqiyah and Al-Gharbiyah to ensure effective sovereignty of the Lebanese state over its territories.
Observers believe that Israel is trying to turn this phase into a 'test' of the Lebanese state's seriousness in extending its authority and withdrawing weapons from the area south of the Litani. Tel Aviv uses these pretexts as political leverage before the international community, claiming that previous security commitments have not been fully implemented, which places an additional burden on American mediation.
Israel is treating this phase as a test of the Lebanese state's ability to extend its full control and withdraw weapons from the region.
שתף את דעתך
US Military Delegation in Beirut to Arrange 'Trial' Israeli Withdrawal from South Lebanon