Lebanese army begins deployment to southern regions after Israel deal

Lebanese Army Begins Deployment to Southern Regions Following Israel Agreement Poinews.com – The Lebanese army begins deployment to southern territories

Lebanese Army Begins Deployment to Southern Regions Following Israel Agreement

Poinews.com – The Lebanese army begins deployment to southern territories as military units moved into designated areas Tuesday, marking the initial phase of operations across three pilot zones. This significant development follows a comprehensive agreement with Israel designed to facilitate Hezbollah’s disarmament and establish lasting regional stability. The deployment comes as President Joseph Aoun continues his diplomatic efforts in Washington, where the United States helped broker the bilateral accord between Lebanon and Israel.

Strategic Military Positions in Pilot Zones

During the recent conflict with Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militant organization, Israel conducted military operations in Lebanon and maintained control over several areas even after hostilities ceased. Currently, Israeli forces occupy only the outer sections of one pilot zone, while the situation in other territories remains under negotiation. Lebanese troops have already established positions within the remaining two zones, preparing for expanded operations.

“Military units began deploying this morning to Zawtar al-Gharbieh” in the Nabatieh region, the army confirmed in an official statement.

President Aoun is set to meet with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, wrapping up a four-day diplomatic tour aimed at securing long-term peace after months of intense fighting and foreign military presence. This important meeting takes place as Lebanon and Israel participate in rare direct negotiations, with Washington acting as the primary mediator. Beirut expects these talks to result in Israeli troop withdrawals from significant southern areas, although substantial progress remains to be achieved.

Building Toward Comprehensive Peace Framework

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that Israeli forces will continue their presence in the region, arguing that without an active domestic front against Hezbollah, the IDF must maintain its position to safeguard Israel’s northern borders. On June 26, both countries announced a detailed framework agreement that outlines a clear path for Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon alongside the disarmament of Hezbollah. The militant organization has maintained a strong presence in the area for many decades.

The agreement also introduced preliminary measures toward a formal peace settlement between the two nations, which do not have official diplomatic relations and have technically remained in a state of war for roughly 80 years since Israel’s establishment.

The US State Department announced on Monday that activities within three villages designated as a pilot zone had officially started, though detailed operational information was not released. Froun and Srifa, two of these villages, function outside Israeli military control with Lebanese army presence, while Israeli forces hold part of Zawtar al-Gharbieh.

According to military sources, preparations are actively underway for Israel’s departure from Zawtar al-Gharbieh, with troop movements already initiated on Tuesday. The Israeli armed forces released a statement indicating they “will adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas in order to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their mission,” without specifying the exact location. An IDF spokesperson explained that withdrawals have not yet begun and declined to offer a timeline for when such movements might take place.