Three senior Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel and Lebanon are discussing a US pilot program under which Israeli forces would hand over territory in southern Lebanon to armed Lebanese forces that would undergo US training and approval, according to a report by N12.
Three senior Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel and Lebanon are discussing a US-proposed pilot program for the transfer of territory in southern Lebanon. Under the framework, Israeli forces would hand over areas to armed Lebanese forces that would undergo training and receive approval from the United States. The report was carried by N12 on Wednesday morning.
This confirms earlier reporting by The Zioneer (June 22) that the IDF was planning to reduce forces in southern Lebanon ahead of a pilot phase amid US pressure. The current discussions appear to advance that concept, with the added detail that the Lebanese recipient forces would be US-vetted. The report does not specify the size of the territory, the timeline, or the composition of the Lebanese forces. It remains unclear whether Hezbollah-aligned units would be excluded or how Israel would verify the training and approval process.
The development marks a potential shift toward a structured diplomatic track on the northern front, following months of cross-border fire and several background reports in recent weeks about Israeli security cabinet discussions on Lebanon. No official confirmation from the IDF or the Prime Minister's Office has been issued.
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