Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that they are working for Israel's full withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Visiting the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, where the Lebanese army recently deployed, on Wednesday, Salam said, "We will continue our political and diplomatic efforts to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from the south."
Israeli forces had been positioned on the outskirts of the village following the war with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Salam's visit came a day after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with US President Donald Trump at the White House. During the meeting, Aoun "stressed the urgency of Israel's full withdrawal from Lebanese territory."
Under the US-sponsored agreement signed last month, the Lebanese army is to disarm Hezbollah and the Israeli military is to withdraw from "pilot areas" where Lebanese forces will deploy. However, Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the agreement and refused to lay down its arms.
The Lebanese army announced on Tuesday that Israeli forces "opened fire" near troops deployed in Zawtar al-Gharbiya. The Israeli military, however, claimed it only fired "warning shots into the air" after Lebanese soldiers entered an area that was "not part of the pilot zone."
Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 in support of Iran, dragging Lebanon into the Middle East war, which led to massive Israeli airstrikes and a ground operation. After planting the Lebanese flag in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Salam said, "In parallel with the army's deployment, we will continue to open roads, remove rubble, and provide basic services. We will ensure our people return to their homes and villages safely and with dignity."
The war caused massive destruction, especially in the south; but violence has decreased following the framework agreement signed between the US and Iran last month and the Lebanon-Israel agreement. According to the United Nations, more than 700,000 people have returned to their homes in recent weeks.
Dozens of residents in Zawtar al-Gharbiya waited for permission to check on their homes. Abbas Yaghi, 73, told AFP, "Thanks to the presence of the Lebanese army, we will enter the town with our heads held high." The army had called on residents on Tuesday not to enter the village "until the security situation stabilizes."
Mostapha Ammar, 60, who lives in the neighboring Israeli-occupied Zawtar al-Sharqiya, said, "If the army allows, we will follow," expressing hope that Israel would withdraw from other areas as well. Wafaa Ismail, 64, from the same village, was unable to get permission to enter the neighboring village during Salam's visit. Criticizing the prime minister for entering alone with the army, she said, "He should have brought the people with him so he could declare victory."
Israeli troops have been carrying out intermittent attacks on surrounding towns, most recently targeting Nabatieh al-Fawqa. The Lebanese army continues its sweeping operations in the area.
