Lebanon says army to redeploy to south after Israel withdraws

BEIRUT

Lebanese Defense Minister Maurice Sleem said Wednesday that the army will redeploy to areas from the Israeli army withdraws in south Lebanon.

A cease-fire agreement took effect early Wednesday to end over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah group.

According to the terms of the cease-fire, Israel will withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line in a phased manner while the Lebanese army deploys its forces in southern Lebanon within a period that doesn't exceed 60 days.

The agreement stipulates "the right of both sides to self-defense", not the Israeli army’s freedom of movement, Sleem told reporters.

The defense minister said the army will take all necessary steps to implement the agreement “and will be the cornerstone of all actions taken under it.”

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said earlier on X that the army will remain deployed in its positions in southern Lebanon.

"You are prohibited from heading towards the villages that the Israeli army has asked to be evacuated or towards the army’s forces in the region,” Adraee said, addressing civilians in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese army, meanwhile, said it is taking necessary measures to complete its deployment in the south, calling on Lebanese citizens “to exercise patience before returning to the villages and towns at the front lines.”

It also urged the returnees “to exercise caution and be aware of unexploded ordnance and suspicious objects left behind by the Israeli enemy.

The cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel took effect hours after US President Joe Biden said a proposal to end the conflict had been reached, amid hopes it would stop Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese towns and cities and end the year-long cross-border fighting.

Over 3,800 people have been killed in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala