On 22 June 2026 the IDF pulled back from the nearby village of Debbine toward Khiam, calling the move "dynamic defense" rather than a withdrawal. The wider Israeli security zone, up to 10km deep, stayed in place. The fifth round of Lebanon-Israel talks in Washington ended on 25 June without an agreed map for a Lebanese Army takeover south of the Litani. Parts of the town remained under Israeli occupation after the 2026 Ceasefire, and Lebanon's National News Agency reported continued demolition of homes.

Khiam sits in the Marjayoun District of Nabatieh Governorate, about 5km north of the border. Hezbollah reported its first ground clashes with Israeli forces in the town in mid-March 2026. During Israel's 1982-2000 occupation the town held the Khiam Detention Centre, run by the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army, where Lebanese detainees faced indefinite detention. Hezbollah captured the prison in 2000, shortly before Israel withdrew. The town was fought over again in 2006 and in 2024.

After the 2006 war Qatar paid compensation directly to residents of Khiam, Bint Jbeil, Aita al-Shaab and Ainata to rebuild their homes. On 16 October 2026 Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, pledged in Beirut to fund a QatarEnergy-TotalEnergies solar plant for Lebanon as an initial project.

Common Questions

Where is Khiam in Lebanon and why is it strategically important?

Khiam is a hilltop town in Lebanon's Marjayoun District, about 4 km from the Israeli border and 6 km south of the Litani River. Its elevated position commands the main roads running north toward the Beqaa Valley, making it a military objective in every major Lebanon conflict. Israeli forces have fought there in 1978, 1982, 2006, and again in 2026.Source: Wikipedia / iran-conflict-2026

What was the Khiam Detention Centre?

A prison run by the Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army during Israel's 1982-2000 occupation of South Lebanon, where Lebanese detainees faced indefinite detention. Hezbollah captured it in 2000, shortly before Israel withdrew.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khiam

Is Israel withdrawing from Khiam in 2026?

As of June 2026, Israel holds the security zone around Khiam and has said it will not withdraw until it has security guarantees. The IDF carried out a localised redeployment from the nearby village of Debbine toward Khiam on 22 June, described as 'dynamic defence', but the wider 10-km security zone remained intact. Washington's fifth-round talks focused on a 'model zone' framework, but no withdrawal had been confirmed.Source: iran-conflict-2026

Why is Khiam linked to Iran's nuclear negotiations?

Iran set a Lebanon ceasefire as the precondition for opening nuclear sub-talks with the US. Because Israel holds Khiam and refuses to withdraw, the Lebanon front remains active, and Iran's condition goes unmet. Netanyahu's insistence on keeping forces 'as long as necessary' south of the Litani directly blocks the diplomatic sequencing Iran is demanding.Source: iran-conflict-2026

Where is Khiam in Lebanon?

Khiam is a hilltop town in the Marjayoun District of Lebanon's Nabatieh Governorate, about 5km north of the Israeli border.Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khiam

Has Israel withdrawn from Khiam?

No. On 22 June 2026 the IDF pulled back from nearby Debbine toward Khiam but kept a security zone up to 10km deep. Talks in Washington ended on 25 June without an agreed handover map.Source: event

Did Qatar rebuild Khiam after the 2006 war?

Qatar paid compensation directly to residents of Khiam, Bint Jbeil, Aita al-Shaab and Ainata to rebuild after the 2006 war. In October 2026 it pledged to fund a solar plant for Lebanon.Source: https://www.ipsnews.net/?p=28652

Source Material

Qatar throws lifeline to Lebanon LEBANON: A Devastated Town Recovers, In A Way Khiam Detention Centre Khiam