Lebanese army troops moved into the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday after Israeli forces pulled out, according to a senior Lebanese security official. The deployment marks a new step in the shifting security situation in southern Lebanon.
The move is linked to a U.S.-brokered arrangement that calls for phased Israeli withdrawals from parts of the south. Under that framework, Lebanese state forces are expected to expand their presence in areas vacated by Israeli troops.
The plan also includes a sensitive security component involving Hezbollah. Lebanese forces are meant to take responsibility for confiscating weapons from the group in southern Lebanon as part of the broader handover process.
The development highlights the fragile balance in the border region, where military movements remain closely watched. With Lebanese troops now entering Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, attention is likely to remain on how the withdrawal plan is carried out in the coming stages.
