Lebanese military units have commenced deployment to a “pilot zone” in southern Lebanon, marking a significant step following the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a US-brokered agreement established last month.
The Lebanese army command confirmed that troops entered the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh district on Tuesday morning.
On Monday evening, the Israeli military acknowledged the implementation of the pilot zone plan. This initiative involves the withdrawal of Israeli forces from specific parts of territory occupied during recent conflicts with Hezbollah and aims to facilitate the disarmament of the group.
This development follows a high-level meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
During the talks, Aoun sought to press Trump for greater pressure on Israel to withdraw from remaining southern Lebanese territories and requested international assistance to help the Lebanese army establish full control in areas currently influenced by Hezbollah.
“I expressed to [Trump] that I require two things: political support and assistance for the LAF [Lebanese Armed Forces],” Aoun stated to reporters in the Oval Office.
Standing alongside Aoun, Trump pledged US assistance for Lebanon, noting the nation has faced decades of significant hardship.
“It has been a very badly treated place and country, and we are going to ensure it is treated properly,” Trump said. “And treated with the respect it deserves.”
The US State Department announced Monday that “pilot zone operations” have begun in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Froun, and Srifa, in accordance with the Trilateral Framework involving Israel, Lebanon, and the US.
The Department noted that this milestone follows recent discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives held in Rome.
Later on Monday, an Israeli military official stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would “adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas” to accommodate the Lebanese army’s mission. The official emphasized that the IDF remains committed to “safeguarding the security of IDF soldiers and preserving its right to self-defence and to remove threats”.
“The objective of the pilot and the agreement is the disarmament of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and the removal of its illegal weapons,” the official remarked.
The official also reiterated that the IDF would maintain its presence in the 10km (six-mile) deep security zone along the border for “as long as necessary” to defend northern Israeli communities.
While Hezbollah has rejected the negotiations involving the Lebanese government, Israel, and the US, Israel has maintained that a full withdrawal is contingent upon the complete disarmament of Hezbollah.
Trump mentioned that the US has “concrete plans” to bolster Lebanon’s capacity to disarm Hezbollah, though specific details were not disclosed.
“They’re also becoming much more self-sufficient,” Trump commented regarding the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Additionally, Trump indicated he is willing to engage in direct communication with Hezbollah representatives if requested by President Aoun.
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