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Israeli army preparing to withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon: reports
🇹🇷 Turkey /Conflict & Security

Israeli army preparing to withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon: reports

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Israeli media reports suggest the army is preparing to withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon.
  • Talks mediated by the U.S. have reportedly established a framework for deploying the Lebanese army and disarming Hezbollah.
  • Disagreements persist within Lebanon regarding direct negotiations with Israel, with Hezbollah opposing the process.

Israeli media outlets are reporting that the Israeli army is preparing to withdraw from two specific areas in southern Lebanon. Citing unnamed officials, Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper claims that recent talks, mediated by the United States, have established a practical framework for the deployment of the Lebanese army, the involvement of a third-party monitor, and the disarmament of Hezbollah.

The discussions in Rome were 'productive' and 'positive,' and an agreement was reached on the structure and principles of the pilot zone process.

— Unnamed officialsDescribing the outcome of recent talks aimed at de-escalating tensions.

The reports suggest these discussions in Rome were "productive" and "positive," leading to an agreement on the structure and principles of a pilot zone process. Final details are expected to be completed and implemented in the coming days. However, one Israeli official noted that further preparations and agreements are necessary for the initial phase of the pilot zones.

The first phase of implementing the pilot zones still requires additional preparations and agreements, which we anticipate will be carried out in the coming days.

— Israeli officialCommenting on the timeline for implementing withdrawal plans.

Meanwhile, Israeli state television KAN reported that a withdrawal date from these designated pilot areas in Lebanon has not yet been set, though there is a desire for it to happen as soon as possible. This comes after a series of high-level meetings between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Washington in April, described as the highest-level direct talks since 1993.

The direct talks are a necessary option for stopping the bloodshed and achieving a permanent solution.

— President Aoun and Prime Minister SalamTheir stance on the importance of negotiations with Israel.

Despite these developments, direct negotiations with Israel remain a contentious issue within Lebanese politics. While President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam view the talks as essential for a ceasefire and lasting solution, groups like Hezbollah and their supporters characterize direct engagement as "surrender" and oppose the process.

Direct contacts are characterized as 'surrender' and oppose the process.

— Hezbollah and its supportersTheir opposition to direct negotiations with Israel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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