Washington to push for Israeli withdrawal from 5 points in S. Lebanon: congressman

People inspect damage caused by Israeli military airstrikes on a civilian heavy vehicle compound in Deir Seryan, Lebanon, on Aug. 7, 2025. The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes Wednesday night on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Lebanese Hezbollah sites. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. congressman said Thursday that the United States will push Israel to withdraw from the five remaining occupied points in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese army asserts full control over the country.

U.S. Congressman Darrell Issa made the remarks after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace.

He said the United States will "work directly with the Israelis to ensure a full withdrawal in exchange for the Lebanese army's deployment," which, he said, is "essential to prevent southern Lebanon from being a launchpad for rockets and to protect its residents."

The United States will continue to provide equipment, training, and diplomatic backing -- under the leadership of the Lebanese government alone, the congressman added.

Responding to questions about Hezbollah's rejection of disarmament, Issa stressed that there is only one government, one president, and one legal armed force -- the Lebanese army.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Andrea Tenenti, announced in a statement Thursday that its forces, in coordination with the Lebanese army, discovered "an extensive network of fortified tunnels" in the vicinity of the villages of Tayr Harfa, Zebqine, and the town of Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

"The discovery included a number of bunkers, artillery pieces, multiple rocket launchers, as well as hundreds of shells and rockets, anti-tank mines, and other explosive devices."

The UNIFIL had previously reported the discovery of more than 225 weapons and ammunition caches at various locations.

In an updated statement on Thursday, the Public Health Emergency Operations Center, affiliated with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, said one Syrian was killed, and two Lebanese injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting the town of Deir Seryan in southern Lebanon a day earlier.

The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes Wednesday night on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Lebanese Hezbollah sites. Firefighting and ambulance teams faced difficulties in reaching the area due to the intensity of the strikes.

Since Nov. 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the United States and France, has been in effect. It ended the confrontations that erupted between the two sides due to the war in the Gaza Strip.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming they are to eliminate Hezbollah "threats." It has also maintained its forces in five key positions in the Lebanese border area after a deadline for full withdrawal expired on Feb. 18. ■

This photo taken on Aug. 7, 2025 shows the damage caused by Israeli military airstrikes on a civilian heavy vehicle compound in Deir Seryan, Lebanon. The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes Wednesday night on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Lebanese Hezbollah sites. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

A man inspects damage caused by Israeli military airstrikes on a civilian heavy vehicle compound in Deir Seryan, Lebanon, on Aug. 7, 2025. The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes Wednesday night on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Lebanese Hezbollah sites. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Aug. 7, 2025 shows the damage caused by Israeli military airstrikes on a civilian heavy vehicle compound in Deir Seryan, Lebanon. The official Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched intense airstrikes Wednesday night on multiple areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Lebanese Hezbollah sites. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)