By Yakoota Al Ahmad
ISTANBUL (AA) – Lebanese army forces heavily redeployed in the southern city of Tyre on Tuesday, marking the start of its redeployment in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) said the redeployment was meant to maintain security in the city and its surroundings.
“It signals the start of the army’s redeployment in the south, especially in the border villages,” it added.
In a related development, the Lebanese Defense Ministry said it is looking for recruits to join the army.
A cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel took effect last week in the hope of ending over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.
Under the terms of the cease-fire, Israel is to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line de facto border in a phased manner while the Lebanese army deploys its forces in southern Lebanon within a maximum of 60 days.
Implementation of the agreement is to be overseen by the US and France, but details on enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.
Nearly 4,000 people have been killed and more than 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon and over 1 million others have been displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala