Beirut, Jul 21 (V7N) – Conflicting accounts have emerged over reports that Israeli forces have withdrawn from several towns in southern Lebanon, with local officials disputing claims by the Lebanese army that it has regained control of the areas.
The Lebanese army announced on Monday (July 20) that it had recovered and taken control of areas previously occupied by Israeli forces as part of efforts to restore state authority in southern Lebanon.
However, Hassan Bajji, mayor of the southern Lebanese town of Fron, rejected the army's claim, saying Israeli troops have not fully withdrawn from the outskirts and border areas of the town.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Bajji said the Lebanese army has not yet begun deploying in the nearby town of Zawtar al-Gharbia because Israeli forces remain in strategic positions.
"These are just words," the mayor said, adding that there has been no tangible progress or meaningful change on the ground in Fron and that the overall security situation remains unchanged.
Despite the conflicting statements, authorities officially launched a pilot zone operation on Monday aimed at facilitating the return of Israeli-occupied towns in southern Lebanon to Lebanese control as part of broader efforts to restore regional stability.
The differing accounts highlight the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the withdrawal process and the security situation along the Lebanon-Israel border.
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