The Israeli military has withdrawn from several villages in southern Lebanon but remains stationed at five strategic border positions as the deadline for the withdrawal under a ceasefire agreement with Lebanon expired, a Lebanese security source said on Tuesday,

“The Israeli army has withdrawn from all border villages except for five points, while the Lebanese army is gradually deploying due to the presence of explosives in some areas and damage to the roads,” the source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP.

Israel announced on Monday that it will maintain troops in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon. These positions are located at a hill near Labbouneh, opposite the Israeli border town of Shlomi; the Jabal Blat hill, opposite Zar’it; a hill across from Avivim and Malkia; a hill across from Margaliot; and a hill across from Metula.

Following the Israeli army’s withdrawal, the Lebanese military announced that it had deployed overnight to multiple villages and towns across southern Lebanon.  

In an official statement, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) confirmed that troops have moved into Aabbasiyyeh, Majidiyeh, Kafrkila, Marjaayoun, Odaisseh, Markaba, Houla, Mays al-Jabal, Blida, Mahbib, Maroun al-Ras, Yaroun, Bint Jbeil, and several other areas near the Israeli border.  

The deployment, according to the LAF, is being conducted in coordination with a US-led committee overseeing the ceasefire with Israel, as well as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  

Additionally, LAF engineering teams are working to clear the areas, reopen roads, and safely dispose of unexploded ordnance left behind from the conflict. 

Lebanese authorities urged residents to exercise caution and delay their return to recently vacated areas to allow military teams to conduct security sweeps.

In Houla, residents gathered at the village entrance awaiting army clearance to return. Meanwhile, Lebanese military bulldozers, supported by UNIFIL personnel, began clearing roads in Kfarkila to restore access. The army also deployed to Odaisseh, where its engineering units worked on removing unexploded Israeli ordnance. Reports indicated that Israeli troops had advanced into Kfar Shouba despite the ongoing withdrawal.

Large groups of Wazzani residents returned on foot, while Mays al-Jabal residents were seen making their way back early Tuesday morning, some on motorcycles. A joint convoy of the Lebanese Army, UNIFIL, and the Lebanese Red Cross moved towards the Majidiyeh Plain following the Israeli withdrawal.