Image: Middle East Online

Lebanese Army Withdraws from Southern Christian Villages Amid Israeli Advance

03 April, 2026.Lebanon.28 sources

Key Takeaways

Lebanese Army redeployed from key border villages in southern Lebanon.
Move aimed to avoid direct contact with Israeli forces and prevent heavy losses.
Security concerns and displacement rose among border communities amid the withdrawals.

Army Pullback

The Lebanese Armed Forces began withdrawing from several southern villages.

The army stated the move was to avoid being surrounded or cut off as Israeli attacks escalated.

Anadolu Ajansi

The withdrawal sparked protests among residents who refused to leave their homes.

The Universal Syriac Union described the withdrawal as unjustified abandonment.

Christian Villages Exposed

An estimated 3,500 people remained in the predominantly Christian villages.

Supplies were critically low: diesel, water, and insulin shortages.

Al-Nahar

The International Committee of the Red Cross reached Debel after 15 days.

Residents lamented they had no army or a state left.

Hezbollah Returns to Southern Front

Hezbollah forces began redeploying south of the Litani River.

“Najia Houssari BEIRUT: The Lebanese army has withdrawn from several border positions in southern Lebanon, in what one official described as a necessary move to avoid any direct confrontation with Israeli forces and prevent heavy losses as the war between Israel and Hezbollah escalates”