The Lebanese Army announced on Tuesday the start of its deployment in the town of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon following the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, marking the first field test of a US-brokered “pilot safe zones” plan to as part of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
On Monday, the Israeli occupation forces had announced the launch of the pilot phase of the “safe zone” project in southern Lebanon in coordination with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese Army.
Meanwhile, Reuters quoted an unnamed US official as saying the move is the start of restoring Lebanese state authority in areas controlled by Hezbollah.
The pilot zones plan, derived from the US-backed agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel last month, stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah in designated areas of southern Lebanon, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces, and the deployment of the Lebanese Army.
The occupation army stated that teams from the three militaries—referring to the Israeli, US, and Lebanese armies—are conducting joint coordination and planning operations to execute the agreement, threatening that it would respond forcefully to any violation.
The Lebanese Army clarified on Monday that its units are continuing their duties in the southern Lebanese towns of Froun and Srifa, coordinating with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L) to begin deploying in Zawtar Al-Gharbiya following the pullout of occupation forces.
The MCG4L is a tripartite body established under the framework agreement to support its implementation through US mediation.
The Lebanese Army urged residents not to head to Zawtar Al-Gharbiya and to strictly adhere to instructions issued by deployed military units for their safety.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Lebanese Army engineering units have begun scanning streets and clearing landmines, unexploded ordnance, and remnants left behind by Israeli forces in Zawtar Al-Gharbiya.
Reuters quoted an unnamed US official stating that the Lebanese Army will be responsible for clearing the pilot areas of Hezbollah’s weaponry and infrastructure, as well as conducting security operations to prevent the movement from using them as cover for attacks.
Washington warned that any attempt by Hezbollah to obstruct the process, infiltrate these areas, or rearm within them would damage prospects for reconstruction and peace.
However, residents told The New Arab that the three areas were never occupied by Israeli forces.
Occupation forces never entered Froun or Srifa in the first place, while conducting only limited operations inside Zawtar Al-Gharbiya before pulling back—making the deployment an exercise to test the performance of the Lebanese Army rather than a genuine, large-scale withdrawal.
Military and strategic expert Brig. Gen. Elias Hanna told Al Jazeera that Israel has offered no real concession, as the combined area of the three towns does not exceed roughly 2% of the nearly 600 square kilometers under its control. He noted that Tel Aviv is attempting to present the step as a major development despite its minimal impact on the ground.
Hanna added that the selection of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, Froun, and Srifa is tied to their location on the periphery of the security zone established by the occupation army, ensuring the preservation of its security depth inside Lebanese territory and maintaining fire control over the towns’ surroundings.
He pointed out that the agreement lacks a clear timeline for subsequent phases, leaving the door open to prolonging the status quo if Israel claims the conditions for success have not been met.
The operational rollout comes ahead of a meeting scheduled for Tuesday between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Aoun is set to present a plan regarding the disarmament of Hezbollah and securing the complete withdrawal of occupation forces from Lebanon, in what constitutes the first White House visit by a Lebanese president in nearly 20 years.
Aoun had arrived in Washington earlier this week and met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, emphasizing that Israel must begin its withdrawal from southern Lebanon in accordance with the June 26 agreement.
Reuters quoted an unnamed Lebanese official as saying that Aoun views Trump as the sole figure possessing the necessary leverage to pressure Israel into withdrawing its forces and helping Lebanon restore its sovereignty.
The sixth round of direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel concluded in Rome last week with a preliminary agreement on an implementation mechanism for two pilot zones in southern Lebanon. This mechanism permits a limited withdrawal of occupation forces and the deployment of the Lebanese Army, a step Washington framed as a transition from political understanding to field testing.
