According to reports reaching Washington correspondents, the United States will soon allow the Lebanese army to gradually return to the area south of the Litani River, alongside an Israeli withdrawal from the area. The report comes amid stalled implementation of the November 2024 ceasefire understandings, which mandated a parallel deployment of the Lebanese army and IDF withdrawal.
A report circulating among Washington correspondents on Wednesday night claims the United States will soon permit the Lebanese military to resume a gradual deployment south of the Litani River, concurrent with an IDF withdrawal from territory it currently holds in southern Lebanon. The reported move would aim to break the months-long impasse in implementing the ceasefire arrangement reached in November 2024, which formally requires the Lebanese army to take control of the area south of the Litani while Israeli forces depart. Implementation has repeatedly stalled over disputes about the pace and scope of the Israeli withdrawal and the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its presence in the border area.
The report is attributed to unnamed sources and has not been confirmed by the State Department or Israeli defense officials. As The Zioneer reported on June 7, armored movements and friction continue on the ground south of Nabatieh, where the IDF has advanced to the Mayfadun line since the ceasefire. The US-Iran talks that have been underway also include Lebanese dimensions: a June 12 report described a potential framework that would include Israeli withdrawal and release of Hezbollah prisoners, while a June 11 statement from the Iranian team explicitly rejected any continued IDF presence in southern Lebanon. Whether the reported US policy shift represents a unilateral American move or part of a broader understanding remains unverified.
- DevelopingReport: Gradual Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon to begin with Nabatieh test area
- DevelopingUNIFIL: IDF halts village destruction in South Lebanon, sources say
- DevelopingIran says Lebanon ceasefire text finalized, US will compel Israel to end war
- DevelopingReport: Fifth round of Lebanon-Israel border talks to open in Washington on June 22
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