Army deploys to first 'pilot zone' in Zawtar al-Gharbieh
The Lebanese army deployed on Tuesday to "pilot zones" in part of the country that had been under Israeli control following a deal sponsored by Washington, a military source told AFP.
The source said soldiers "have begun deploying to the village of Zawtar al-Gharbieh" in the Nabatieh region, following Israel's invasion of parts of the south during their war with Hezbollah.
Abed Ezzeldine, Mayor of Zawtar al-Gharbieh said that they are waiting for the Lebanese military to tell him whether it's safe for residents to check on their homes after they fully deploy and patrol the area. He is concerned about the safety of his village given that the Israeli military is still present in another village next door, while Israeli strikes continue nearby.
"The villages are intertwined, so we don’t feel safe because the Israelis are present there, they’re on our borders and are not very far from us," Ezzeldine told The Associated Press, who said Zawtar al-Gharbieh is uninhabitable.
"Once the army gives us permission to enter Zawtar al-Gharbieh, we as civilians will go in, but only to check it out and see how things are and then we will leave," he said. "We can’t stay because the infrastructure is completely damaged and houses have been leveled. They (the Israelis) have bulldozed the roads."
The United States on Monday announced the launch of the pilot zone process.
"Today, pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbieh in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon," the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
"This milestone is a direct outcome of last week’s discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome. The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion," the statement added.
Two of the three villages, Froun and Srifa, are not under Israeli military control and the Lebanese army is present there, while Israeli forces are in part of Zawtar al-Gharbieh.
The Lebanese army said on Tuesday it had begun deploying to Zawtar al-Gharbieh. The Israeli military said it "will adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas in order to enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their mission," without specifying the location.
The announcement coincides with a visit to Washington by President Joseph Aoun, who is scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Pilot zones are areas from which Israel is supposed to withdraw its forces to be replaced by the Lebanese Army. However, some of the announced villages are not occupied while others are under Israeli gunfire.
Source: Agence France Presse, Associated Press
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