Israeli army radio announces "Significant" reduction of troops in South Lebanon

Israel's army radio (GLZ) announced Thursday a "significant" reduction in the number of brigades deployed in the occupied "buffer zone" in southern Lebanon.

According to a military source, the troop reduction comes due to "current operational conditions," notably following the seizure of the Ali al-Taher ridge, a strategic stronghold for Hezbollah located roughly 15 kilometers from the border.

The development follows earlier press reports published in September indicating that the Israeli military intended to soon shrink its zone of occupation in southern Lebanon.

Israeli media had previously reported that the army was planning to pull back to a narrower strip of southern Lebanon, roughly 3 to 4 kilometers deep, to serve as a defensive buffer with Hezbollah, following the destruction of the Ali al-Taher tunnel network. 

This would mark a retreat from the current "Yellow Line," which stretches 8 to 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.

The move comes despite earlier statements from Israel's military leadership insisting there would be no withdrawal. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir had said following the demolition of the Ali al-Taher tunnels that "the Yellow Line remains under our full control and unchanged," while Defense Minister Israel Katz had ruled out any pullback from what Israel calls its "security zone," even under pressure from Washington.