Lebanon’s military starts ‘pilot zone’ takeover in south
Summary
The Lebanese army plans to take control of security in three villages in southern Lebanon as part of a US-led agreement with Israel and Lebanon. This agreement aims for Israel to gradually withdraw from these areas while the Lebanese military manages security and disarms the Hezbollah group. However, Israeli forces have not yet fully left, and questions remain about the timing of the withdrawal.Key Facts
- The three “pilot zone” villages are Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon.
- The US State Department announced the plan as part of a framework agreement reached on June 26 after negotiations involving Lebanon, Israel, and the US.
- Under the agreement, Israel will slowly retreat from southern Lebanon, and the Lebanese military will take over security and disarm Hezbollah.
- Hezbollah, supported by Iran, opposes the agreement and demands Israel leave Lebanon fully and unconditionally.
- Israeli forces remain in parts of southern Lebanon, claiming the need for a “security zone” as long as Hezbollah is armed.
- Lebanese officials say there have been no changes yet on the ground, and the Lebanese army has not fully deployed in the pilot zones.
- Since fighting intensified in March, over 4,300 Lebanese have died, more than a million have been displaced, and at least 36 Israeli personnel and civilians have also been killed.
- The agreement does not set a clear timeline for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
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