UN peacekeeping force enters Lebanese town to verify Israeli withdrawal
ISTANBUL (AA) – A UN peacekeeping force has entered Khiam town in southern Lebanon to verify reports of Israeli troop withdrawal from the area.
An engineering battalion from the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL moved into Khiam to inspect reports that the Israeli army had withdrawn from the town, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.
There was no immediate Israeli comment on the report.
UNIFIL is part of a 5-member committee that is assigned to monitor the implementation of a cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel. The committee also includes representatives from the US, France, Lebanon and Israel.
The cease-fire deal came into force on November 27 in hopes of ending 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. It is, however, described as fragile, as several violations by Israel have been documented by Lebanon.
Under the cease-fire terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line – a de facto border – in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.
Israel has killed more than 4,000 people and injured over 16,500 in Lebanon since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.
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