U.S. Official Says Israel Has Pulled Back From Areas in South Lebanon

A senior U.S. State Department official said Israel has withdrawn from areas in the security belt in southern Lebanon as a “gesture of goodwill.” The official said the Lebanese army will redeploy into those same areas.

The statement did not give further details on the scope of the withdrawal, the timing of the move, or any conditions attached to it. It also did not say whether the redeployment is already underway or will begin later.

The report frames the Israeli pullback as a limited step tied to the situation in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army expected to reestablish its presence on the ground. The official’s remarks were attributed specifically to the U.S. State Department.