The Lebanese army has began deployment in the southern region of Lebanon under the term of a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
On Thursday, Lebanon reported that an Israeli strike on Khiam had killed one person, just hours after the United States announced that Israel had begun withdrawing from the area as part of the ceasefire arrangement.
Tensions have remained high in the region following nearly a year of cross-border exchanges initiated by Hezbollah in support of Hamas after its October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. In response, Israel intensified its military campaign in southern Lebanon throughout late September.
The ceasefire, which took effect on November 27, has been marked by mutual accusations of violations. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the recent Israeli strike in a public statement, urging the United States and France—both instrumental in brokering the agreement—to take a firm stance against “Israeli aggression.”
The Israeli military acknowledged targeting Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon, citing threats to Israeli civilians and accusing the group of violating the ceasefire. Meanwhile, Lebanon reported that Israeli strikes had killed five people in the south the previous day.
A five-party committee comprising the United States, France, Lebanon, Israel, and UN peacekeepers has been established to monitor and address ceasefire violations. As part of the agreement, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers will assume security responsibilities in southern Lebanon, while Israel completes its withdrawal over the next 60 days.
