Israeli military says it has began to withdraw from occupied southern Lebanon towns

Israeli military says it has began to withdraw from occupied southern Lebanon towns

The Israeli military have announced the beginning of operational pilot zones to hand back towns occupied by Israel in southern Lebanon on Monday. 

The army said the operation will be carried out in cooperation with the US military and the Lebanese armed forces, adding that they will respond forcefully to any violation of the agreement.

However, the mayor of the southern Lebanese town of Froun told Al Jazeera on Monday that Israeli forces are yet to withdraw from the town, contradicting the narrative from the Israeli and Lebanese armies.

“This is just talk. There have been no new developments in the town of Froun. The situation remains unchanged,” he said.

Media convoy vehicles drive past an Israeli flag fluttering along a road in the southern Lebanese area of Naqoura on 20 July 2026 (Anwar Amro/AFP) ...