After US Confirmation.. Israel Denies Withdrawal from Part of Southern Lebanon

SadaNews - A senior Israeli official denied on Thursday that the Israeli army had withdrawn from part of the "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, according to Reuters.

The agency quoted a U.S. State Department official on Thursday stating that Israel had withdrawn its forces from part of the buffer zone it established in southern Lebanon, calling for the Lebanese army to deploy in that area.

The U.S. official characterized the Israeli withdrawal as a "gesture of goodwill" towards the Lebanese government in statements to Reuters.

He said, "The Lebanese army forces should now move to the area from which Israel has withdrawn."

The U.S. official did not clarify the extent of the territory from which Israel withdrew or the exact location of the withdrawal.

A prominent Lebanese security official stated that the authorities are unaware of any withdrawal of Israeli forces from the so-called "buffer zone."