For the first time since the ceasefire was announced last month, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have withdrawn from positions in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have taken over these positions as part of the ceasefire agreement, the IDF confirmed on Wednesday.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander General Michael Kurilla visited Beirut to oversee the transition.
During his visit, General Kurilla met with Lebanon’s Armed Forces commander, General Joseph Aoun, at the monitoring headquarters in Beirut. The two leaders discussed efforts to secure a lasting cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, CENTCOM reported.
According to CENTCOM, General Kurilla also monitored the replacement of IDF troops by LAF forces in Al Khiam, Lebanon, calling it "an important first step" towards sustaining peace and stability in the region.
In a statement, the IDF emphasized that while troops are being replaced in certain positions in alignment with the ceasefire terms, the military remains vigilant in Lebanon to protect Israeli interests.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati hailed the move as a significant step in bolstering security in southern Lebanon. "The deployment of army units in the Khayyam and Marjayoun areas strengthens the army’s presence in the south and aligns with the ceasefire resolution," he stated in a post on X/Twitter.
The meeting between General Kurilla and General Aoun also addressed the situation in Syria, with discussions on how its instability impacts Lebanon and the broader Middle East.
