Beirut, July 19 (dpa/GNA) – A Lebanese soldier died in southern Lebanon, when an explosive device detonated in a military vehicle, the Lebanese military reported on Sunday.
It referred to a “suspicious object” inside a military vehicle. The Israeli military said the bomb had “most likely” been planted by Hezbollah. It added that Israeli troops had not recently been operating in the village of Mansouri, south of the coastal city of Tyre.
Hezbollah has not commented on the incident. As part of ongoing negotiations over a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli forces are to withdraw from two areas in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army set to take control of these so-called “pilot zones.”
The move is intended to pave the way for a gradual withdrawal of Israeli ground troops, which have been fighting Hezbollah in parts of southern Lebanon.
According to local reports, the Lebanese army has already increased its presence in several towns in the south. At the same time, concerns are growing over the possibility of an open confrontation between Hezbollah and the Lebanese army. Under increasing pressure from the United States, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, is seeking to disarm Hezbollah. However, the Iran-backed Shiite militant group has firmly rejected the proposal.
Hezbollah lawmaker Ali Fayad, recently said, according to media reports, that “the problem with this government has become very, very serious.” He warned of “unpleasant consequences.”
The Israeli withdrawal from the two zones, is seen as a test of whether the Lebanese army can assert control over southern Lebanon. Aoun is currently in Washington, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
The US is mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel, that led to the agreement on Israel’s withdrawal from the two zones.
GNA