The Israeli army has withdrawn from the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon, as reported by Israeli media.
On Thursday, the Israeli public broadcaster KAN announced that Lebanese army forces and UN peacekeepers had taken over control of the town under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
According to KAN, General Michael Kurilla, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Beirut, the Lebanese capital, and observed the Lebanese army’s deployment in Khiam following the Israeli troop withdrawal. CENTCOM stated that General Kurilla held discussions with Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun regarding “ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s state-run news agency NNA confirmed that the Lebanese army deployed to five locations around Khiam in coordination with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon).
The ceasefire agreement, which took effect on November 27, aims to end 14 months of conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. Under its terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line—a demarcation line recognized as a de facto border—in phases. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army has 60 days to deploy across southern Lebanon.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in over 4,000 deaths, more than 16,500 injuries, and the displacement of over 1 million people, according to Lebanese health authorities.
