📍 GUNFIRE REPORTED DURING LEBANESE ARMY DEPLOYMENT: The Lebanese Army said Israeli forces opened fire near its units as they deployed in Zawtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon. No injuries were reported, and the IDF has not immediately commented.
There is no verified confirmation from either side regarding the source of the fire. The Lebanese Army also acknowledged the possibility that it may have originated from Hezbollah.
Lebanese media separately reported Israeli shelling between Beit Yahoun and Barashit.
🔸 IDF BEGINS PILOT WITHDRAWAL FROM SOUTHERN LEBANON: The IDF began withdrawing Tuesday morning from three pilot villages, marking its first territorial pullback since the March ground invasion. Under the framework agreement, the Lebanese Armed Forces will take control of two zones, conduct “verified clearance operations” and dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure.
Lebanese Army units entered western Zawtar al-Gharbiyah in the Nabatieh district, where engineering teams began scanning streets for explosives and IDF remnants, according to Al Jadeed footage and Lebanese sources cited by N12.
Israel described the deployment as a “sovereignty test” of the Lebanese Army’s ability to prevent Hezbollah’s return while preserving Israeli freedom of action under U.S. oversight.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said strengthening the Lebanese Army is intended to “build confidence” and eventually replace Shia militias with state security and economic prosperity. U.S. officials warned that any Hezbollah attempt to “derail, infiltrate, or re-arm” would “seriously harm” reconstruction prospects and the broader peace process.
Lebanon continues to demand a full Israeli withdrawal. Disputes remain over the supervisory mechanism and the criteria for establishing a “weapons-free area.”
President Trump is reportedly urging Prime Minister Netanyahu to finalize the withdrawal following positive engagements with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. During Aoun’s White House visit, Trump is expected to condition further withdrawal on ending Hezbollah’s nationwide military presence, strengthening state control and cooperating with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara.
However, both governments reportedly recognize that a “real acceleration” or definitive peace breakthrough remains frozen until after Israel’s elections scheduled for October.
Hezbollah was also warned that joining the U.S.-Iran conflict could bring “further destruction and displacement” to Dahiyya, Baalbek, Hermel and southern Lebanon. Hezbollah denounced the talks as an American-imposed concession that deepens internal divisions.
❌ SHIN BET FOILS HAMAS-LINKED PLOT AGAINST BEN-GVIR: The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) arrested Muhammad Awad, a 29-year-old Arab Israeli from Nazareth, on suspicion of contacting Hamas with the intention of joining the terrorist organization and planning to assassinate National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Awad worked as an unarmed security guard at Afula’s central bus station.
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