Israelis begin final withdrawal from Lebanon

JERUSALEM, Oct 1 (Reuters) Israeli forces crossed from southern Lebanon today to begin the last phase of their withdrawal under a UN resolution to end a war with Hizbollah guerrillas, an Israeli security source said.

Israel had already pulled out most of the 10,000 troops who entered Lebanon during 34 days of fighting triggered by Hizbollah's abduction of two soldiers in a cross-border raid on July 12. A ceasefire took hold on August 14.

Israeli defence officials said they hoped the last of the forces would be able to leave before the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, at dusk today.

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