Lebanese Army Deploys in Southern Town as U.S.-Brokered Israeli Withdrawal Begins

Lebanese army units began deploying in the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew, a senior Lebanese security official reported. The move is the first concrete step in a U.S.-brokered de-escalation plan aimed at restoring stability to the volatile border region.

A Test of the 'Pilot Zone' Plan

The handover is the initial test of an agreement dubbed the "pilot zone programme," which the Israeli military confirmed began on Monday. According to a Reuters report, the plan requires Lebanese army troops to confiscate weapons from the Iran-aligned group Hezbollah in designated areas, coupled with a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops.

The Lebanese army confirmed its units were entering the town in the Nabatieh region and renewed a call for residents to avoid the area until the security situation is stabilized. The Israeli military, which had no immediate comment on Tuesday's specific movements, previously described the program as a test of the Lebanese Armed Forces' ability to act as the "sole official authority authorised to bear arms in the area."

Strategic Goals and Regional Context

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For Lebanon, the plan represents an opportunity to restore control over a strip of land approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) deep into its territory that has been occupied by Israeli troops. The area has suffered extensive damage, with reports of razed villages and destroyed public infrastructure, displacing tens of thousands of residents.

While Israeli officials have expressed skepticism about Lebanon's capacity to disarm Hezbollah, they view the agreement as a crucial step toward establishing long-term peace, according to the source material. The latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah began in early March, which Hezbollah stated was in support of Tehran following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Diplomatic Overtures

The military maneuvers coincide with high-level diplomatic efforts. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was reportedly scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the situation.