Lebanese Army gradually deploys in Dibbin as Israeli troops withdraw

SOUTH LEBANON — The Lebanese Army announced Thursday the reopening of the Marjayoun–Debbin–Ibl al-Saqi road, following the removal of earth berms previously installed by the Israeli army on the Debbin road.

This operation comes as part of the Israeli withdrawal from the area.

In a statement, the military said it had "removed earth berms on the Debbine road, which were previously installed by the Israeli army, allowing the reopening of the Marjayoun–Debbin–Ibl al-Saqi axis."

The statement added that "this operation is taking place in parallel with the Israeli withdrawal from the Dibbin area, where military units are carrying out a gradual deployment after coordination with the cease-fire monitoring mechanism, and in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)."

The armed forces also said that "specialized teams are conducting technical reconnaissance operations to remove unexploded ordnance." It therefore called on citizens to "not approach the area and to follow instructions from military units until the deployment is completed."

Several sources contacted by our correspondent in south Lebanon, said the Israeli army is withdrawing from Dibbin toward the south, in the direction of Khiam, in the Marjayoun district. This withdrawal is part of the conditional cease-fire announced from Washington, which provides for the establishment of "pilot zones" for the Israeli withdrawal from the south.

The president of the Marjayoun municipality, Sary Ghulmiya, said he received a call from the Israeli army informing him that the road linking his locality to the Qlayaa – Blat area is now passable. Blat is located just north of Dibbin.

However, he called on residents not to use this road until an official statement is issued by the Lebanese Army, adding that he has relayed this information to the armed forces, which will take appropriate measures regarding civilian traffic.

In addition, residents of Jdeidet Marjayoun, a mostly Christian village still inhabited, reported seeing military vehicles leaving Dibbin toward the Khiam road. Earlier in the day, witnesses also reported Lebanese Army vehicles, including a bulldozer, moving toward Debbin.