Lead

The Israeli military has denied reports that it has withdrawn troops from parts of southern Lebanon, while a US State Department official said such a pullback has occurred. The conflicting statements emerged on Thursday amid ongoing US-brokered talks in Washington aimed at consolidating a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, citing a US State Department official, reported that Israel had withdrawn from some buffer zones in southern Lebanon created during its war with Hezbollah. The official added that Lebanon's armed forces should now step in. However, a senior IDF official denied the reports to the Jerusalem Post, and a senior Lebanese security official said they were unaware of any withdrawal.

In contrast, TASS reported that the IDF press service denied a Reuters report suggesting some units had pulled out. The IDF spokesperson stated that the position of IDF soldiers in the security zone in southern Lebanon remains unchanged and that the military is acting according to the directives of the political leadership.

Key Claims

  • The IDF denied reports of a withdrawal, stating that the position of its soldiers in the security zone is unchanged, as reported by TASS.
  • A US State Department official told the Jerusalem Post that Israel had pulled back from part of its buffer zone, calling it "a significant demonstration of good faith toward Lebanon's legitimate government."
  • The official said the Lebanese Armed Forces should move in and "verifiably clear out terrorist weapons and infrastructure," a model that would be repeated across South Lebanon.
  • Military delegations from the US, Lebanon, and Israel are meeting in Washington for a fifth round of talks to define the geographical boundaries of "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese president's office, as reported by TASS.
  • The "pilot zone" project, proposed by the US during the fourth round of talks on June 2–3, would see the Lebanese army take control of these zones after an Israeli withdrawal.
  • Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said negotiators are working to consolidate the ceasefire, which would be followed by the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the deployment of the Lebanese army, according to TASS.
  • In June, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding calling for an immediate ceasefire across all fronts, including Lebanon, as reported by TASS.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military has approval to operate freely in Lebanon to counter threats, as reported by TASS.

Perspectives

IDF

The Israeli military denied reports of a withdrawal, stating that its soldiers' positions in the security zone remain unchanged and that it operates according to the directives of the political leadership.

US State Department

A US State Department official said Israel has withdrawn from part of its buffer zone, describing it as a concrete step and a demonstration of good faith. The official urged the Lebanese Armed Forces to move in and clear out terrorist weapons and infrastructure.

Lebanese Presidency

The office of the Lebanese president said that trilateral talks in Washington on "pilot zones" are progressing and that the Lebanese army will take control of these areas after an Israeli withdrawal. President Joseph Aoun said negotiators are working to consolidate the ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israeli military has approval to operate freely in Lebanon to counter threats, as reported by TASS.