Sanaa: The US State Department announced on Monday the start of pilot zone operations in the Lebanese villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya under a trilateral framework with Israel and Lebanon. This initiative is set in motion following recent discussions held in Rome between Israel and Lebanon.
According to Anadolu Agency, spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that this development is being managed by the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon. Pigott emphasized the ongoing commitment of the United States to collaborate closely with both Israel and Lebanon to ensure the Framework is successfully implemented.
The Lebanese army reported that its military units are actively engaged in carrying out their duties in southern Lebanon, specifically in the villages of Froun and Srifa. Additionally, coordination is in progress with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to commence deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, pending the Israeli withdrawal. The military has advised Lebanese citizens to avoid traveling to Zawtar al-Gharbiya and to follow the instructions of the deployed military units for their safety.
This announcement arrives amidst ongoing Israeli military activities in Lebanon, despite a framework agreement facilitated by US mediation between Beirut and Tel Aviv last month. The agreement outlines a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories, beginning with a pilot implementation in two zones yet to be identified. The agreement does not specify a timeline for the withdrawal, instead conditioning its completion on the Lebanese army taking full security control in areas vacated by Israeli forces and the disarmament of armed groups, including Hezbollah.
Official Lebanese figures indicate that since March 2, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of 4,328 people and injuries to 12,227 others. Israel maintains its hold on parts of southern Lebanon, some of which have been occupied for decades, while others were seized during the recent conflict between October 2023 and November 2024.