Key facts
- The first 'pilot zone' in Lebanon, where the Lebanese army will control an area occupied by Israeli forces, is expected to launch within days.
- This initiative is part of a US-backed ceasefire proposal between Lebanon and Israel.
- Lebanese officials insist that these zones must be linked to Israeli withdrawal and the restoration of state authority.
- Proposed locations for the initial phase include areas in southern Lebanon, such as Beaufort Castle.
- A key disagreement persists regarding whether the pilot zones will encompass territory currently occupied by Israeli forces.
The first 'pilot zone' in Lebanon, where the Lebanese army will assume control of an area currently occupied by Israeli forces, is expected to launch within days, according to a US official. This development signals a move towards the implementation stage of a US-backed ceasefire framework between Lebanon and Israel.
Lebanese officials have emphasized that these proposed pilot zones must be directly linked to an Israeli withdrawal and the restoration of Lebanese state authority in occupied territories. The concept, introduced in Washington's announcement following recent talks, envisions areas where the Lebanese army would be the sole armed force, excluding non-state actors. Retired Lebanese Brigadier General Bassam Yassin described these zones as designated areas for the Lebanese army to deploy, search, and ensure the absence of unauthorized weapons.
Proposed locations for the initial phase include several areas in south Lebanon, such as Eastern Zawtar, Western Zawtar, Yahmar, and the vicinity of Beaufort Castle. However, the precise boundaries and inclusion of currently occupied territories remain points of contention. While the US announcement suggests Israel and Lebanon agreed to establish zones where the Lebanese Armed Forces would exercise exclusive control, a central dispute exists over whether these zones will encompass territory currently occupied by Israeli forces. Lebanese officials advocate for the zones to be tied to an Israeli withdrawal, while the Israeli interpretation reportedly favors establishing zones outside currently occupied areas.
The concept of pilot zones bears some resemblance to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 war and called for the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.