Statement by the Pentagon regarding the implementation of the procedures of the Lebanon Agreement

The United States chairs the Committee for the Implementation and Oversight of Mechanisms for the Cessation of Hostilities, which consists of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israeli armyAnd the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and France.

Amos Hochstein will serve as civilian co-chairman until a permanent civilian official is appointed in Beirut.

This group will help monitor and enforce the cessation of hostilities agreement between them Israel and Lebanon Which entered into force on November 26.

A spokesperson said,CentacomAccording to Sky News Arabia, General Jeffers’ first task is to coordinate with… Lebanese army To withdraw Hezbollah members beyond the Litani river (29 km) from the border with Israel and place the area under the control of the Lebanese army.

The Israeli army announced on Friday that it will remain in southern Lebanon, contrary to what was stipulated in the agreement on the cessation of hostilities with Hezbollah.

He said in a statement: “Since the entry into force of the cease-fire agreement, the Israeli army has continued to be present in southern Lebanon to preserve the security of the State of Israel and its residents.”

After the cease-fire agreement came into force on Wednesday morning, questions arose as to when the Israeli army would begin withdrawing from its positions in southern Lebanon.

Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will gradually withdraw its forces over a period of 60 days, with the Lebanese army controlling lands near the border with Israel to ensure that Hezbollah no longer builds infrastructure there.

The agreement stipulates that the military presence in the south will be limited to the Lebanese army and peacekeeping forces of the United Nations, and that Hezbollah will withdraw its weapons north of the Litani River, which is located about 30 kilometers from the border.

American sources had expected the Israeli withdrawal to begin as soon as the agreement entered into force, which did not happen.

A US source told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Wednesday that the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon could begin the same day the deal takes effect.

The source explained: “The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon will be gradual and could begin on Wednesday under heavy air cover.”

He added: “This will also include the removal of dozens of Israeli flags that Israeli army soldiers have placed on positions they have occupied in Lebanese territory.”