The Lebanese army has begun deploying troops to a southern pilot zone following the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a United States-brokered agreement, according to Reuters and BBC News. Military command announced that units entered the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh district on Tuesday morning, marking a critical test for the fragile security framework established last month. The phased withdrawal and subsequent deployment represent the first tangible step toward restoring state control across southern Lebanon after months of devastating conflict that displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.
The Israeli military previously confirmed the initiation of the pilot zone program, which aims to test the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces in securing the border region and disarming the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The agreement was reached following intensive diplomatic discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Rome, mediated by Washington under the trilateral framework. US State Department officials welcomed the milestone, emphasizing that the pilot operations in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Froun, and Srifa offer a vital opportunity for the Lebanese state to reassert sovereign authority in areas historically dominated by non-state actors.
Following the military entry, the Lebanese army command issued a cautionary advisory urging civilians not to return to the area until the security situation stabilizes completely. Engineering regiments were swiftly dispatched to conduct thorough sweeps for unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants left behind by the intense ground campaign. Local authorities noted that while Froun and Srifa were largely clear of Israeli troops, the handover in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh required a formal adjustment of forces by the Israel Defense Forces to allow state soldiers safe passage into the strategic border strip.
Analysts point out that the successful implementation of this pilot program remains a formidable challenge for Beirut. The foundational agreement mandates that the Lebanese Armed Forces assume exclusive security control and ensure that vacated territories are cleared of all unauthorized weapons and military infrastructure. However, skepticism persists across political and diplomatic circles regarding whether the national army possesses the capacity or political backing to fully disarm Hezbollah, an organization that has historically maintained deep roots and extensive military capabilities throughout southern Lebanon.
Concurrently, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Washington to confer with US leaders, urging continued diplomatic pressure on Israel to complete its withdrawal from the remainder of occupied southern territory and provide robust support to the national military. The ongoing diplomatic engagement underscores the high stakes involved as regional actors navigate the delicate balance between military disengagement and lasting stability. International observers and United Nations representatives continue to monitor developments closely, recognizing that the outcome of this initial deployment will set a definitive precedent for the broader implementation of the peace framework across the Middle East.
