ISTANBUL

A UN peacekeeping force entered Khiam town in southern Lebanon on Wednesday to verify reports of Israeli troop withdrawal from the area. 

An engineering battalion from the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) moved into Khiam to inspect reports that the Israeli army had withdrawn from the town, the Lebanese state news agency NNA reported.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on the report.

UNIFIL is part of a 5-member committee that is assigned to monitor the implementation of a cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel. The committee also includes representatives from the US, France, Lebanon and Israel.

The cease-fire deal came into force on Nov. 27 in hopes of ending 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah. It is, however, described as fragile, as several violations were documented by Lebanon.

Under the cease-fire terms, Israel is required to withdraw its forces south of the Blue Line - a de facto border - in phases, while the Lebanese army is to deploy in southern Lebanon within 60 days.

More than 4,000 people have been killed and over 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon, in addition to over 1 million displaced since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar