Lebanese army says troops deploying in 'pilot zone' after Israeli withdrawal

The Lebanese army has begun deploying troops in the southern village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, marking the first phase of a pilot operation under the US-brokered Trilateral Framework agreement. The move follows Israel’s decision to adjust its forces in the area, allowing Lebanese troops to assume responsibility for security. This development comes amid ongoing efforts to disarming Hezbollah and restoring Lebanese sovereignty over parts of the country. The operation began on Monday, with the US State Department announcing that “pilot zone operations” had commenced in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, alongside the villages of Froun and Srifa. These actions were described as a milestone achieved through discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Rome. An Israeli military official confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would reduce its presence in one of the pilot zones to enable the Lebanese army to conduct its mission, while ensuring the safety of Israeli personnel and maintaining the IDF’s right to self-defense and threat elimination. The official emphasized that the goal of the pilot initiative and the broader agreement is to dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal and remove its illicit weapons. The Lebanese army’s command stated on Tuesday that its units had started entering Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh based on communication with the Military Co-ordination Group for Lebanon, which oversees the implementation of the Trilateral Framework. The group includes representatives from Israel, Lebanon, and the United States. The army urged local residents to avoid the village until the security situation stabilizes and to follow military orders to ensure their safety. Troops are already conducting missions in nearby Froun and Srifa, as per the army’s earlier reports. An Israeli source informed the Haaretz newspaper that there were no Israeli troops present in the villages of Froun and Srifa. This suggests that the IDF’s withdrawal from these areas has been complete, paving the way for the Lebanese army’s entry. The operation represents a critical step in the effort to establish a lasting peace in the region, though challenges remain. The conflict escalated on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks into Israel in response to a U.S.-led strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader. In retaliation, Israel conducted a bombing campaign across Lebanon and invaded significant portions of the country’s southern regions. The violence has resulted in more than 4,300 deaths in Lebanon, including nearly 800 children, women, and medical workers, according to the Lebanese health ministry. On the Israeli side, authorities report 37 soldiers and four civilians have been killed since the start of hostilities. This latest development underscores the complex interplay between regional actors and international mediation. While the pilot operation marks progress toward de-escalation, it also highlights the fragile nature of the peace process. The success of this initial phase will likely determine whether the broader goals of the Trilateral Framework can be realized. As the Lebanese army continues its deployment, the focus will shift to monitoring the stability of the newly secured areas and assessing the effectiveness of the agreement in achieving its objectives.