BEIRUT, December 12. /TASS/. An Israeli drone attacked the town of al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, injuring several civilians, Al Jadeed television reported.
The Lebanese military earlier announced it started to deploy its units in the town following the withdrawal of Israeli forces in accordance with a ceasefire agreement. Army bulldozers cleared debris from the roads leading into the border town, and bomb squads began surveying the area for unexploded ordnance. People were advised not to return to their homes for the time being.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the attack as another Israeli violation of the 60-day ceasefire agreement brokered by the US and France.
"The Israeli enemy is not honoring its commitments," he said. "The ceasefire monitoring committee must put an end to these violations and make sure the occupation forces withdraw from all the territories they occupy in southern Lebanon."
General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, visited Beirut on December 11 and called the beginning deployment of Lebanese military units to al-Khiyam an important first step toward stabilization.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon took effect on the morning of November 27. The deal stipulates that the Lebanese army will deploy its forces along the country’s southern border with the support of UN forces. Israeli troops will gradually pull out of Lebanon within 60 days.