Israel Denies Southern Lebanon Withdrawal, Contradicting Reports
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Israeli security sources, citing a security official, have stated that the Israeli army has not withdrawn from southern Lebanon and has not yet made a decision to do so. This statement contradicts earlier claims circulating in Israeli media and from a U.S. State Department official.
An Israeli newspaper, Israel Hayom, quoting Israeli officers stationed at a Lebanese position, reported that no orders for withdrawal from their current posts had been received. This further underscores the conflicting narratives emerging from within Israel regarding any potential troop movements.
However, Channel 13 of the Israeli regime claimed that Israeli soldiers would soon withdraw from limited areas in southern Lebanon. This same outlet also reported on the continued occupation by the regime of most of the occupied territories in southern Lebanon, creating confusion about the extent and nature of any alleged withdrawal.
A Lebanese military source, speaking to Al Jazeera, confirmed that no withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories has been registered. The source stated that Israeli forces remain deployed in all areas they recently occupied, directly refuting any claims of a significant troop reduction.
Earlier, Reuters had reported, citing a U.S. State Department official, that Israel had withdrawn from a portion of the buffer zone established in southern Lebanon. The U.S. official had characterized this purported withdrawal as a sign of goodwill towards the Lebanese government, suggesting that the Lebanese army should take over the area vacated by Israel.
