Lebanon to deploy 10,000 troops along Israel border amid rising tensions

The Lebanese authorities are planning to boost the military presence in the southern region of the country, near the border with Israel, to a total of 10,000 troops.

Lebanese Defence Minister Maurice Slim confirmed the decision, stating, "We will increase the number of Lebanese Army personnel in the south to 10,000," Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The move comes amid rising tensions in the region, as Lebanon seeks to strengthen its defensive capabilities along the volatile border.

Notably, a ceasefire agreement took effect in Lebanon at 4:00 AM on November 27, marking the first truce on the northern front since Hezbollah joined the conflict with Israel on October 8, 2023, in support of Hamas in Gaza. The ceasefire came after a night with no reported attacks or drone strikes in northern Israel, with the last alarm heard at 11:23 PM on November 26.

However, Lebanese sources noted that Israeli airstrikes continued for several hours before the truce. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted areas in southern Beirut, including Al-Janah, and locations in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon.

Additionally, Syrian sources reported Israeli airstrikes on both legal and illegal border crossings along the Syria-Lebanon border, with southern Lebanon, including Ayta ash-Shaab and An-Naqoura, also hit.

Shortly after the ceasefire's commencement, Lebanese media reported that refugees began returning to their homes in southern Lebanon. On the eve of the truce, Israel's Security Cabinet approved the agreement with a vote of 10 in favour and one against, thanking the United States for its role in facilitating the deal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement confirming the country’s right to respond to any threats to its security.

A senior US official commented that the agreement could have significant repercussions on Hamas, suggesting that Hezbollah’s decision to separate its conflict from Hamas could influence the ceasefire talks concerning Gaza. This development could potentially alter the dynamics in ongoing negotiations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev