Israeli army ends Givati Brigade mission in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military announced Thursday that the Givati Brigade has concluded its eight-month combat mission in southern Lebanon during a ceremony at Camp Filon in northern Israel attended by Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, as occupation forces maintain their presence in several areas despite a newly signed US-brokered framework agreement with Beirut.

In a statement, the army said the brigade initially conducted border defense operations before launching ground offensives in Khiam, Bint Jbeil and areas north of the Litani River. The unit destroyed hundreds of Hezbollah sites, killed hundreds of fighters and seized more than 1,000 weapons during the deployment, according to the military statement, which offered no explanation for ending the mission at this time.

Withdrawal under US-brokered deal

Israeli daily Haaretz reported that the move formed part of a broader troop redeployment and partial withdrawals from selected villages under field arrangements linked to the framework agreement signed with Lebanon last week. Another outlet, Yedioth Ahronoth, said the withdrawal reflected "political and operational pressure" and aimed to consolidate a buffer zone rather than end Israel's military presence. Israeli Army Radio reported last Saturday that the military had begun reducing its ground presence from five divisions to two following the agreement.

The agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv, mediated by Washington and signed last Friday, provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal beginning with two unspecified pilot areas. However, it establishes no timetable for a full pullout and links further withdrawals to the Lebanese army assuming security responsibilities and the disarmament of non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed 4,298 people since October 2023.