Israeli army commanders say they will begin moving some troops back Wednesday from positions they have captured in Lebanon in the past month of fighting Hezbollah militants. The UN mediated truce in Lebanon has now entered its second day with few violations reported.
Israeli military authorities say they hope to complete the withdrawal of troops from Lebanon by the end of next week.
Brigadier-General Shuki Shahur, the Deputy Chief of Israel's Northern Command says Israeli military units inside Lebanon are preparing to handover positions to UN troops, and possibly Lebanese army units, starting on Wednesday.
He says by the end of this week Israel plans to demobilize tens of thousands of reserve troops called up in the largest mobilization in years.
The announcement comes on the second day of the UN mediated truce between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon after 34 days of fighting. Despite sporadic mortar and rocket fire against Israeli forces still inside Lebanon, Israel
says the truce is working.
But Israel plans to keep up an air and sea blockade of Lebanon - to prevent arms getting to Hezbollah militants - until a 15,000 strong force of international peacekeepers is in place.
