Lebanese PM Visits Southern Village to Test U.S.-Brokered Army Deployment

Lebanese Prime Minister Visits Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh

The visit occurred one day after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a meeting at the White House with U.S.

The Pilot Zone Program

The deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh is the first test of a “pilot zone” program established under an agreement signed by Lebanon and Israel in late June. The initiative is designed to test the implementation of the broader deal, which requires the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy in southern areas where Hezbollah previously held a military presence. In return, the agreement mandates the withdrawal of Israeli troops from dozens of villages they have occupied during the conflict, as stated by Reuters.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the pilot program is being coordinated with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese military. The objective is to allow the Lebanese army to exercise full authority as the only force permitted to carry weapons in the three designated pilot villages. Israeli officials noted that the redeployment is intended to enable the Lebanese army’s mission while preserving Israel’s right to self-defense and its ability to respond to security threats, per I24news.

Stakes and Security Challenges

The region has faced immense destruction, with infrastructure—including water pumps, power stations, and hospitals—left in ruins.

The security situation remains precarious. While Lebanese army units have begun sweeping Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh for unexploded ordnance, the town’s mayor, Abed Ezzeddin, described the destruction as extremely extensive, noting that more than half of the town was destroyed. Ezzeddin expressed concern regarding the proximity of Israeli forces in the neighboring village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, questioning how residents could safely return while those troops remain nearby.

Tensions have already manifested on the ground. The Lebanese army reported that Israeli forces fired near its units during the initial deployment, an incident the Lebanese military warned could obstruct the program’s progress. The Israeli military stated it fired warning shots after Lebanese personnel and an engineering vehicle crossed into a security zone near Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh and breached barriers, adding that the area was not part of the designated pilot zone.

Diplomatic and Political Context

Prime Minister Salam reiterated the government’s stance during his visit, stating that the ultimate goal remains the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from all Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah has publicly condemned the government for engaging in direct talks with Israel and has rejected the agreement. However, the group has not attempted to sabotage the pilot program through military action. The Lebanese government continues to urge the international community to invest in the country’s infrastructure and military capacity to help stabilize the region and restore state control.

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