Israeli Withdrawal Remains Essential, Says Lebanon PM During Southern Village Visit

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday visited the war-ravaged southern village of Zawtar Al Gharbieh, calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops and pledging government support for reconstruction efforts. His visit came as Lebanon and Israel began implementing a US-brokered agreement aimed at restoring stability in southern Lebanon following months of conflict. Salam's visit followed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, where Trump expressed support for Beirut's efforts to strengthen state authority across the country.

The Lebanese government has been seeking international backing to implement the security agreement and extend the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the south. Under the agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in late June, the Lebanese military is to deploy in areas previously influenced by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from positions they occupied during the conflict. Both sides later agreed to begin implementation through a pilot zone covering several villages. Although Israeli forces have continued to carry out airstrikes and limited ground operations in parts of southern Lebanon, officials say the pilot villages are no longer under Israeli occupation.

At the same time, the Lebanese Army has yet to establish a full deployment across all of the designated areas. The latest conflict began on March 2 after Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel, describing the attacks as an act of solidarity with Iran, its principal regional ally. Israel responded with an extensive aerial campaign and ground offensive across southern Lebanon. According to reported figures, the fighting killed more than 4,000 people and displaced around 1.2 million residents.

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Lebanon's political leadership has criticised Hezbollah for drawing the country into another conflict while simultaneously condemning Israel's large-scale military campaign and the destruction it caused across southern regions. The government has repeatedly called for respect for Lebanese sovereignty and the full implementation of the ceasefire framework. During his visit, Salam, accompanied by Lebanon's defence minister and senior military officials, planted a Lebanese flag near a heavily damaged building in the village.

He said the government would begin rebuilding homes, public facilities and infrastructure damaged during the fighting. The reconstruction effort is expected to require substantial international financial assistance, with many communities in southern Lebanon still facing extensive damage to housing, roads, schools and essential services. Officials have said rebuilding affected areas is a priority alongside restoring security and encouraging displaced families to return.

The success of the agreement will depend on both sides fulfilling their commitments, including the deployment of the Lebanese Army and the withdrawal of Israeli forces. International observers continue to monitor developments as diplomatic efforts seek to prevent renewed hostilities. Salam's visit underscored the Lebanese government's intention to re-establish state authority in the country's south while pressing for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the long-term stabilisation of the border region.

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