Lebanese Army Denies Israeli Officers Opposed Withdrawal as Israel Intensifies Raids in Nabatieh Governorate

The Lebanese army denied an Israeli report claiming some of its officers opposed Israel’s withdrawal from the southern region for fear of Hizballah’s return, warning against a “rumor campaign” and “fabricated news.”

In the same period, Israel intensified raids and shelling on the Nabatieh Governorate in southern Lebanon, claiming it targeted Hizballah infrastructure in response to the launching of two booby-trapped drones toward its soldiers in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli Broadcasting Authority claimed that those present there were killed.

Al-Jazeera Net

The Lebanese army said elements of the military institution are “committed to its directives and the tasks assigned to them” and carry out their duties based on national responsibility to defend Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, and stability.

The dispute is tied to efforts to solidify security arrangements related to the “framework format” agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel on June 26, which stipulates a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the Lebanese army’s deployment there and the disarmament of armed groups, in reference to Hizballah.

The Al-Jazira Net report also said Israeli aggression against Lebanon has continued since March 2, causing the deaths of more than 4,000 people and injuries to more than 12,000, in addition to the displacement of more than one million people, according to Lebanese authorities.A

The Lebanese army said it had recorded nearly 7,700 Israeli violations since a framework agreement was signed on 26 June, warning that continued violations threatened existing understandings and arrangements.

In its statement, the army described Israel as stepping up attacks on residential areas and institutions in recent days, and said the latest incident killed at least 12 people, including women and children, in the town of Kafr Rumman in the Nabatieh district.

Middle East Monitor

The Norwegian Refugee Council said Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported 27 people killed and 69 wounded between 5 and 7 September, describing the period as the most violent escalation since June.

NRC’s Maureen Philippon said, “For many families in southern Lebanon, returning home is still far from possible,” adding that some could not access their villages and others had “nothing left to return to.”

The NRC report also said on 7 September, 12 people were killed and 10 wounded in Israeli strikes in Kfar Roumane in the southern Nabatieh governorate, and that among those killed were two children and four women.

The Shafaq News report said the Lebanese Army began taking measures to establish operational control in designated areas in southern Lebanon, in coordination with the military coordination group for Lebanon.

“it established six fixed checkpoints and 13 observation posts”

شفق نيوز

It said the army established six fixed checkpoints and 13 observation posts on roads leading to and inside the towns of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Frun and Srifa, while deploying foot and vehicle patrols around the clock.

Shafaq News added that the army seized about 1,818 weapons and ammunition items, including 10 rocket-launching platforms, seven rockets, six drones, 10 aerial bombs, and about 1,560 small-arms ammunition items.

The report also said that in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, about 70% of residents had been able to return to the town and inspect their properties, while only 16% had permanently resettled, representing about 60 families out of 450.

NRC warned that “Civilians cannot be expected to rebuild their lives while the threat of another strike hangs over them,” linking the renewed hostilities to continued destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure and the risk of another cycle of fear and displacement.