Lebanon’s military starts ‘pilot zone’ takeover in south

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that Lebanon’s army began deploying on Tuesday to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in southern Lebanon, the first step in a “pilot zone” security handover tied to a US-mediated framework agreement with Israel. The initial phase also covers Froun and Srifa, according to the US State Department. The arrangement follows talks involving Israel, Lebanon and the United States, and is intended to start a phased Israeli pullback from occupied areas in southern Lebanon.

Under the framework, Lebanese Armed Forces would take responsibility for security in areas Israel leaves and would be expected to verify that Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure have been removed. The State Department described the move as a result of recent Israel-Lebanon discussions in Rome and said Washington would keep working with both sides. Israel’s military said it was coordinating with the US and Lebanon on implementation.

Al Jazeera also noted uncertainty on the ground. A Lebanese security source said Israeli forces had not yet left the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, while the mayors of Froun and Srifa said they had seen no meaningful change or had not been informed of a pilot-zone handover. The Lebanese army warned displaced residents not to return until conditions stabilize and urged them to follow military instructions.

The development matters because the agreement seeks to shift security control in parts of southern Lebanon amid ongoing Israel-Hezbollah fighting. Al Jazeera reports that Hezbollah rejects the deal and demands an unconditional Israeli withdrawal. The framework reportedly lacks a timetable, while Israeli officials have said forces may remain inside Lebanon in a “security zone” as long as Hezbollah remains armed.