Brief
Residents Hear Israeli Troops Near Southern Lebanon Villages Amid Withdrawal Delays
Israeli soldiers and drones continue operating near West Zawtar and nearby villages, while a US‑backed pilot‑zone plan to pull troops out stalls.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Residents of villages in southern Lebanon say Israeli troops and surveillance drones remain active near their homes despite a U.S.-backed plan to gradually withdraw forces.
What happened
Israeli forces withdrew from West Zawtar in July under a pilot‑zone initiative that aims to create zones for a step‑by‑step pull‑out. However, residents report that military vehicles and soldiers continue to patrol nearby areas at night, and drones frequently fly overhead while they work in their gardens. Explosions and controlled demolitions are also reported, causing damage to homes and infrastructure.
What the reports add
Both dailytimes.com.pk articles cite 67‑year‑old Mariam al‑Yaghi, who told Reuters she can hear soldiers and tanks near her house and sees drones monitoring her garden. The first article notes that residents “can hear Israeli soldiers and military vehicles from her home at night,” while the second emphasizes that “Israeli troops patrol close to her home at night.” Both pieces describe regular explosions that shake the region as Israeli forces use controlled detonations and bulldozers to demolish structures.
What was said
"We hear them all the time," al‑Yaghi told Reuters, according to the first source.
"I can hear soldiers speaking and military vehicles moving nearby," she added in the second source.
How it came about
The ongoing presence follows the U.S.-backed pilot‑zone plan first outlined in September, which Lebanon’s prime minister has repeatedly urged Israel to fully withdraw from, as reported in Felo’s coverage on September 25. Parallel diplomatic talks in Paris involving France, Lebanon and the United States aim to replace the UNIFIL mission and bolster the Lebanese Armed Forces, underscoring the broader regional concern over Israel’s continued foothold.
Key facts
- Israeli troops withdrew from West Zawtar in July under a U.S.-backed pilot‑zone initiative. (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Residents hear soldiers and tanks at night and see surveillance drones while working in their gardens. (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Explosions and controlled demolitions regularly shake the area, damaging homes. (dailytimes.com.pk)
Where accounts differ
- Location of the residents quoted: Residents of say Israeli forces continue military activity in nearby areas. (dailytimes.com.pk); Residents of West Zawtar say Israeli military activity continues in nearby areas. (dailytimes.com.pk)
Timeline
- 2026-07-01 — Israeli troops withdrew from West Zawtar under pilot‑zone plan
- 2026-09-25 — Lebanon PM Nawaf Salam called for full Israeli withdrawal at UN
- 2026-09-17 — Paris talks to replace UNIFIL and address Israeli presence
