Israel shells southern Lebanon as gradual troop withdrawal begins

Israeli forces maintained shelling in southern Lebanon on Monday, July 20, 2026, even as a U.S.-brokered plan for a gradual troop withdrawal from three border municipalities began. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli forces bombarded the town of Taybeh in the Marjayoun district and carried out a "massive bombardment" on Kfar Tebnit in the Nabatieh governorate. Dense smoke plumes were visible for miles following the attack on Kfar Tebnit. While Israeli bombardments have decreased significantly over the past month since a framework agreement was signed, they have not ceased entirely. The current military actions coincide with the commencement of "pilot zones" for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and the subsequent deployment of the Lebanese army in Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al Gharbiya. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the operations align with the framework agreement reached on June 26 in Washington. The U.S. pledged continued collaboration with both Israel and Lebanon to implement the pact. This development precedes a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the White House, where the Israeli withdrawal and border security situation are expected to be discussed. Lebanese authorities report that at least 4,328 people have died and over 12,200 have been injured in Israeli attacks since March 2.

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Our country will continue to cooperate with both parties to implement the pact.