IDF: Sorties will continue over Lebanon
By end of week, last IDF soldier will leave south Lebanon. Local army forces are already deployed in western south Lebanon, and IDF is satisfied with their performance
Hanan Greenberg
09.25.06, 23:25
The IDF said that following the departure of all of its soldiers from Lebanese territories, aerial sorties will continue in Lebanese skies.
Israel will reserve its right to continue to carry out the flights, aimed at gathering intelligence on developments in southern Lebanon, especially in light of the fact that the two kidnapped soldiers – Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser – are still in captivity.
The IDF is preparing to pull its last forces from south Lebanon, and it is estimated that the maneuver will be complete by the end of the week, in accordance with a government decision.
A few hundred soldiers still in Lebanese territory will cross the blue line south to Israel, and the next stage – during which Lebanese forces and UN forces will deploy along the border – will begin.
UN tank in south Lebanon
The withdrawal of IDF forces from Lebanon began after the ceasefire and is continuing. Over 90 percent of forces have already left areas captured since Hizbullah kidnapped soldiers on July 12.
Currently, Lebanese forces are in the western area of south Lebanon and in the Minara area, and the IDF has expressed satisfaction with their performance. With that, a senior IDF source said more time was needed in order to examine the Lebanese army, after the last of IDF soldiers leaves the area.
The same source stressed that the Lebanese army is operating in the area and has already established checkpoints in order to prevent the movement of gunmen.
On Tuesday, a coordination meeting between the IDF and UNIFIL members will be held, in which final details will be discussed.
Among the issues to be discussed will be the apparatus for dealing with issues in real time and the method of joint reporting and investigating of every unusual incident.
According to the senior officer, the daily coordination has already been agreed upon, and the minute the government gives the green light, the IDF will be able to complete its exit from Lebanon within 48 hours.
Thus for example it was agreed that the northern part of the village of Raghar, considered to be one of the most sensitive spots on the border, will be under UNIFIL responsibility while the southern part of the village will be under IDF responsibility.
The Lebanese army will be stationed north of the village and will monitor every movement in and out of it.
Last Friday, IDF forces noticed a Hizbullah gathering near the border, but unlike the previous demonstration, no rocks were thrown, and the event ended peacefully. The IDF said that information received in Hizbullah infrastructure still on the ground will be dealt with immediately.
UNIFIL forces are viewed with optimism in the IDF, and it is believed that they will operate with more determination than before the war. With that, the senior officer said UNIFIL members will not display enthusiasm to arrive at a confrontation with Hizbullah, and fire will only be opened for self defense.
Some 19,000 Lebanese and UNIFIL soldiers will deploy across southern Lebanon with the exit of IDF Forces, with 15,000 of them on the ground already.
IDF: Sorties will continue over Lebanon
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