Statements from Amos Hochstein or U.S. State Department

Israel Begins Withdrawal from Naqoura as Lebanese Army Deploys Under U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire

Jan 6, 2025, 04:59 PM

U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein arrived in Beirut from Riyadh to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces have begun withdrawing from the southern Lebanese town of Naqoura and other areas in the western sector before the end of the 60-day trial period, with the Lebanese army redeploying in these regions in coordination with UNIFIL. Specialized engineering units will survey Naqoura to remove unexploded ordnance. Hochstein confirmed the Israeli withdrawal is proceeding according to plan and stated that the pullout will continue until Israel completely withdraws from southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army to fully deploy along the border. He met with Lebanese officials, including Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Army Commander Joseph Aoun, discussing efforts to consolidate the ceasefire and the importance of political consensus in Lebanon. The Lebanese army communicated that their deployment requires Israel's withdrawal. The U.S. is committed to supporting the Lebanese army, which will be the sole provider of security in southern Lebanon. Despite challenges, with Hochstein acknowledging that implementing the ceasefire agreement is 'not easy,' he expressed confidence in its success.