The October 1 Paradox: Israel returns to southern Lebanon after 18 years of withdrawal

After 18 years since the Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanon, it returns on the same day it left.

On October 1, 2006, the Israeli army left southern Lebanon following the 2006 war. In the early hours of October 1, 2024, the Israeli army announced the start of what it called a “targeted and precise ground operation” in southern Lebanon.

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While the Israeli army‘s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2006 boosted Hezbollah‘s popularity, the Israeli army returns to southern Lebanon after severe attacks against the party’s leadership, including its Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed last Friday in an Israeli airstrike on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Since October 1, 2006, the parties have continued to discuss the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

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After the so-called “July War,” which lasted from July 12 to August 14, 2006, the Israeli army withdrew from southern Lebanon following intense battles.

A ceasefire began on August 14, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which called for the cessation of hostilities between both sides, the addition of 15,000 soldiers to the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces, the withdrawal of the Israeli army to the Blue Line, and the withdrawal of Hezbollah elements to the north of the Litani River, with the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south.

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On October 1, 2006, Israeli forces withdrew from Lebanon.

But 18 years later, on the morning of October 1, 2024, the Israeli army stated in a communiqué: “Based on a political decision, the army began several hours ago a targeted and precise ground operation in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah targets and infrastructure in several villages near the border, from which an immediate and real threat to Israeli towns on the northern border emanates.”

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However, while the Israeli forces stationed in southern Lebanon before the 2006 withdrawal were considered occupying forces, the Israeli government stresses that their mission will be geographically and temporally limited and is not aimed at re-occupying the region.

The Israeli news site “Walla” reported: “Senior Israeli officials said the cabinet decision emphasized that the operation would be focused, limited in time and space, and not intended to reoccupy southern Lebanon.”