The IDF announced Monday evening the launch of a 'Safe Zone' pilot program in southern Lebanon, in cooperation with the US military (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese Armed Forces. According to a military source, the IDF will redeploy from the Zawtar Al-Gharbiya area to allow the Lebanese army to enter, as part of a sovereignty test for the Lebanese army in three villages. The IDF retains freedom of action and will respond forcefully to any violations.
The IDF announced Monday evening the launch of the 'Safe Zone' pilot program in southern Lebanon, in cooperation with the US military (CENTCOM) and the Lebanese Armed Forces. The official statement said teams from the three militaries are coordinating planning for continued implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and that the IDF will respond forcefully to any violations.
A military source provided additional details, saying the IDF will redeploy forces from one of the pilot zones — the village of Zawtar Al-Gharbiya — starting Tuesday, to allow the Lebanese army to enter. The source described the pilot as a 'sovereignty test' for the Lebanese army in three villages, where it will be the sole authorized armed force. The final process has not yet been decided, and the pilot will be accompanied by a US-led oversight mechanism. The source emphasized that the IDF retains freedom of action to remove threats and will operate through a coordination cell mediated by the US in case of Hezbollah violations.
The pilot is part of the broader Israel-Lebanon-US framework agreement signed in June, aimed at disarming Hezbollah and stabilizing the border. The IDF stressed that Israel will remain in the security zone as long as necessary to protect northern communities.
21 developments
- DevelopingIDF begins pilot withdrawal from southern Lebanon zones
- StrongLebanese PM says IDF will withdraw from Zoutar and additional villages within days
- StrongLebanese Army withdraws from Kfar Tebnit as IDF ground offensive advances
- DevelopingNetanyahu maps two pilot zones for Lebanese Army withdrawal, keeps ridge line
Source and signal
- Internal intake