Lebanese Source Disputes Israeli Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon Buffer Zone

A Lebanese military source told Al Jazeera that Israeli forces remain deployed across all areas of southern Lebanon occupied during recent fighting with Hezbollah. This account directly contradicts a U.S. official's statement to Reuters that Israel had withdrawn from parts of the border buffer zone as a goodwill gesture.

The disagreement comes amid broader diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran. The two sides agreed after talks in Bürgenstock to pursue a wider settlement aimed at lowering regional tensions.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah grew more intense after the Gaza war began, producing cross-border fire, airstrikes, and Israeli military operations inside Lebanon. The clashes displaced tens of thousands of civilians living on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Lebanese military source rejected any assessment that Israel had vacated portions of the buffer zone. Disagreements persist over security arrangements, Hezbollah's role, and requirements for a durable ceasefire.

International efforts continue to prevent further escalation while mediators seek to verify the situation on the ground. The conflicting descriptions of Israeli positions highlight difficulties in confirming military movements in the contested areas.