The Lebanese Army began reinforcing its presence South of the Litani River on Wednesday, as part of its bid to extend state authority in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). This move is in line with Lebanon's commitment to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulates bolstering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and security forces in the region.
This deployment follows the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on Wednesday, halting over a year of rising tensions and two months of intense fighting.
Military units are being relocated from various parts of the country to strategic areas in the South Litani sector, including the districts of Tyre, Bint Jbeil, and Marjaayoun. The Army Command has issued a statement urging citizens returning to their homes in these border villages to follow military directives and avoid areas near Israeli forces to ensure their safety, as there remains a risk of hostilities resuming unexpectedly.
#LebaneseArmy Reinforces Its Presence South of the #LitaniRiver pic.twitter.com/CpPtUiL9nk
— This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) November 27, 2024
Hezbollah's Cooperation with Army Deployment
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah confirmed that the group is cooperating with the Lebanese Army’s deployment in the south as part of the truce with Israel. He assured that the situation in the area would remain stable, stating, “There will be no problem there,” and emphasized that Hezbollah fighters had withdrawn north of the Litani River in compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
Fadlallah further clarified that while Hezbollah had no visible weapons or bases in the south, the group remains a "secret resistance" integrated within local communities. "Hezbollah’s people are the people of these villages," he noted, adding that most of the victims of the conflict came from these areas.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati expressed full support for the Army’s increased presence in the south and called on Israel to respect the ceasefire and withdraw its forces. UNIFIL is actively coordinating with the LAF to ensure stability and prevent the resumption of hostilities.
As displaced residents return to their homes, there is cautious optimism that the ceasefire will hold, allowing for reconstruction efforts and a return to normalcy in the southern regions of Lebanon.
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