The Lebanese Armed Forces began deploying troops to three villages in southern Lebanon on Tuesday as part of a "pilot zone" plan established under a U.S.-brokered agreement. Army units entered Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh district following the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the immediate area. The U.S. State Department confirmed that operations are also underway in the villages of Froun and Srifa.
The deployment follows a Trilateral Framework agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States reached last month in Rome. According to an Israeli military official, the objective of the pilot program is to facilitate the disarmament of Hezbollah and the removal of its weapons. The official stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would adjust its posture to allow the Lebanese army to operate while maintaining a 10km "security zone" along the border to defend northern Israeli communities.
The move comes ahead of a scheduled meeting in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. President Aoun is expected to request further Israeli withdrawals and seek U.S. support for the Lebanese army to assume full control over areas currently influenced by Hezbollah.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified on March 2 following a rocket attack by Hezbollah and subsequent Israeli military operations. Data from the Lebanese health ministry indicates more than 4,300 people have been killed in Lebanon during the conflict. Israeli authorities report 37 soldiers and four civilians have died.