December 12, 2024
By Nasser Kandil
• After much speculation about the occupying entity’s potential evasion of its obligations to withdraw from areas it expanded into following the ceasefire agreement, which are numerous, and those it occupied during the war, which are fewer in comparison, the occupying forces withdrew from the town of Khiam, its surroundings, and neighboring areas. Lebanese Army units and UNIFIL forces entered these areas in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
• The town of Khiam was the central battleground for fierce clashes between the resistance and the occupying army, which suffered significant losses but failed to seize control. Following the ceasefire agreement, the occupiers attempted to exact revenge on its residents, leading to the martyrdom of several civilians. Thus, the withdrawal from Khiam and the Lebanese Army’s entry hold substantial symbolic value, suggesting that similar withdrawals may occur in other areas that lack the symbolic weight Khiam carried during the war.
• Khiam lies adjacent to the border with occupied Palestine, with the occupying entity’s settlements, particularly Metula, directly neighboring its homes. This proximity places the town within what the occupiers refer to as their “direct security zone” for their military and settlers. Khiam is a significant town, home to tens of thousands of residents and known as a bastion of resistance, having produced hundreds of fighters. Its liberation signals that other border towns, such as Aita al-Shaab and Aytaroun where battles also raged – are likely to witness similar withdrawals. This development marks the collapse of the occupiers’ plans to establish a depopulated buffer zone along the border. The Lebanese Army’s deployment serves as a precursor to the residents’ return, as stated in the Army’s announcement. The engineering corps will clear remaining security risks within days, after which the town will be reopened for its people.
• Many have sought to cast doubt on the resistance’s victory, but the true measure lies in the occupying entity’s stated objectives. Among these was the establishment of a depopulated border strip to prevent the resistance from maintaining any infrastructure along the frontier. The occupiers made clear they do not trust UNIFIL or Lebanese Army measures. However, they also knew that enforcing this goal would require resuming war – a war they recognised would now be fought by a resistance unburdened by divisions among the Lebanese regarding its mission. The resistance would stand united in defending Lebanon, free from scrutiny, as it had already afforded ample time for the occupying forces to withdraw from Lebanese territory in compliance with the ceasefire agreement.
