Lebanese Army Begins Control of Southern Pilot Zones Under Israel Withdrawal Deal

The Lebanese army has begun taking control of three southern villages designated as the first "pilot zones" under a US-brokered framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel aimed at securing an Israeli withdrawal and disarming Hezbollah.

Lebanese Army Takes Control of Pilot Zones

The Lebanese army began taking charge of security in three southern villages on Monday, according to a US State Department announcement. [5] Operations started in the pilot zones of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon. [5] Lebanese troops have intensified patrols in Froun and Srifa while coordinating deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiya pending Israeli withdrawal from that area. [5] The army stated that troops continue to carry out their missions in the southern regions, including the towns of Froun and Srifa. [5] In parallel, coordination is underway with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to begin deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiya. [5] The Lebanese military warned citizens against heading to Zawtar al-Gharbiya at this stage. [5]

Framework Agreement Background

The pilot zone plan forms part of a framework agreement signed by Lebanon, Israel and the United States in Washington on June 26 following talks in Rome. [1] [5] The framework envisions a phased Israeli pullback from positions in south Lebanon. [5] In exchange, the Lebanese Armed Forces are to assume sole security control of vacated areas and certify that they have been cleared of Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure. [5] The pilot zones are intended to trial the approach in a handful of villages straddling the Litani River before it is extended to other areas. [5] The agreement does not set a timetable for Israel’s withdrawal. [5] Israeli officials have vowed that their forces will remain in a security zone 10 kilometres deep along the frontier for as long as Hezbollah remains armed. [5]

Resident Returns and Local Doubts

Dozens of displaced residents have begun to return to villages in southern Lebanon as the pilot zone project started. [1] Some residents and Lebanese security sources state that Froun and neighbouring Ghandouriyeh were never occupied by Israeli forces, raising questions about whether Israel is actually conceding territory. [1] Displaced families have begun returning to Froun and Ghandouriyeh despite ongoing risks from Israeli fire on nearby roads and lack of basic services such as water, electricity and phone lines. [1] The family of Abu Ali Miqdad used heavy machinery to clear rubble from a building containing residential apartments and storage warehouses at the entrance to Froun, salvaging tyres, oil drums and spare parts. [1] Sumaya Haidar, a resident in her 70s, returned to her surviving home in Froun and expressed relief at being back despite the absence of water, electricity or phone service. [1] Ghandouriyeh suffered even more destruction than Froun, with 250 of its 260 homes fully or partially destroyed, according to municipal council head Mohammed Nader. [1]

Ongoing Security Risks

The road connecting Ghandouriyeh and Froun remains fraught with danger as stretches overlooking the Hujeir Valley come under Israeli fire. [1] Occupying Israeli forces stationed in Odaisseh al-Qusayr, Qantara, Alma ash-Shaab and elsewhere can monitor anyone passing through the area. [1] Israeli forces are present on the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiya. [5] The presence of the Lebanese army and UN peacekeeping patrols brings some comfort to returning residents. [1] Army patrols have been visible for three days in the area of Ghandouriyeh, with soldiers from the Fifth Intervention Regiment standing at the village’s southern entrance. [1] Army patrols were seen moving along the line stretching from Kfar Dounine to Froun via Ghandouriyeh, and a checkpoint was observed where service members searched vehicles and checked residents’ identification. [1] Spanish troops had been patrolling the area opposite Froun as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force deployed south of the Litani River. [1]

US Diplomatic Support

The US State Department described the move as a direct outcome of recent talks and said Washington will continue working with both sides to implement the full framework. [5] State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott described the step as a direct outcome of talks held between Israeli and Lebanese delegations in Rome last week. [5] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington on Sunday, praising Lebanon’s move toward peace. [5] Aoun is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss extending state authority. [1] [5] Extending state authority is expected to top the agenda when Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday. [1]

Hezbollah Position and Regional Context

Hezbollah has rejected the framework, with the Iran-backed group insisting any arrangement in Lebanon be linked to wider negotiations between Washington and Tehran. [5] The group has not said whether it will resist implementation in the designated areas. [5] US issues worldwide security alert for Americans amid Middle East tensions. [3] The US issued a worldwide caution alert for citizens over Middle East tensions. [2] Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region, according to the State Department. [3]

What to watch next is the outcome of President Aoun’s scheduled meeting with President Trump on Tuesday and whether the pilot zones lead to further phased Israeli withdrawals under the framework.