Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday after Israeli occupational forces withdrew from the area, a senior Lebanese security official said, in line with a US-brokered plan.
The announcement came during a visit to Washington by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where the US sponsored the deal with Israel.
"Military units began deploying this morning to Zawtar al-Garhbiya" in the Nabatieh region, the army said in a statement.
The Lebanese military already has a presence in the Froun and Srifa villages, where Israeli forces are not stationed.
The peace plan foresees the Lebanese army confiscating weapons from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in parts of southern Lebanon and phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The Israeli military said on Monday that the plan, dubbed the “pilot zone” programme, has begun.
It had no immediate comment on Tuesday.
Tuesday's handover of territory is the first test of the plan, which Lebanon hopes will enable it to restore control over a strip of land about 10 km (6.2 miles) deep into the country that remains occupied by Israeli troops.
Israeli forces have razed dozens of villages in the area and systematically destroyed vital civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, power stations and water pumps.
Tens of thousands of Lebanese who call the area home have been unable to return.
Lebanese residents await safe return to homes
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2, when Israel and the US started a war against Iran, killing its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering Hezbollah to fire missiles on Israeli positions.
Since then, Israel has intensified its attacks on Lebanon and expanded its occupation in the country's south.
According to Lebanese health ministry data, Israel has killed more than 4,240 people, injured over 12,190 others and displaced more than 1 million.
Lebanese media showed military vehicles, some flying the Lebanese flag, entering the village.
The Lebanese army renewed a call for residents not to enter the area until the security situation stabilises and to follow instructions from deployed military units for their own safety.
Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the deal and refuses to disarm, while there is no timetable for Israel's full withdrawal.
