Lebanese Army Withdraws Amid Tensions with Israel

The Lebanese military made a strategic decision on Saturday to pull its forces from a base located in Kfar Tebnit, a southern village in Lebanon. This move followed an advance by Israeli troops in the vicinity, as reported by a Lebanese military official. The withdrawal coincided with Israel issuing evacuation warnings for approximately 20 locations, including Nabatiyeh, a southern city, and nearby villages.

On Saturday, the state-run National News Agency of Lebanon reported airstrikes over several villages near Nabatiyeh, which resulted in two fatalities in Deir al-Zahrani. Furthermore, Nabatiyeh experienced artillery shelling on the same day.

An anonymous senior Lebanese military official confirmed to The Associated Press that the decision to relocate forces from Kfar Tebnit followed an Israeli incursion. Details on the movements were not provided.

The strategic area of Ali Taher hill, on the edge of Kfar Tebnit, is significant due to its vantage point over Nabatiyeh and key roads connecting the city to adjacent villages. This hill was previously held by Israeli forces until their withdrawal in May 2000.

In May of this year, Israeli troops captured another strategic point, a mountain featuring the historic Beaufort Castle, marking their deepest occupation since 2000. The current maneuvers by Israeli forces near Kfar Tebnit took place following a statement from Pakistan’s prime minister about the potential ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran aimed at resolving their conflict in the Middle East.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed state television on Friday regarding efforts to establish an initial agreement to cease hostilities, including in Lebanon. Hussein Haj Hassan, a senior official from Hezbollah, informed Al Jazeera TV that Iranian officials indicated Lebanon would be part of the upcoming ceasefire discussions between the US and Iran.

Despite the ceasefire originally initiated on April 17, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah persist. Israel maintained military operations in southern Lebanon while Hezbollah continued with its attacks, including rockets and drones.

The latest round of conflict commenced on March 2, following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel, two days after joint US-Israeli operations against Iran started. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, the recent confrontations have resulted in over 3,700 fatalities in Lebanon. On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reported 30 soldiers and a defense contractor have died, alongside two civilian casualties in northern Israel.