Under Political Guidance: IDF Begins Withdrawal from Southern Lebanon
The IDF confirms that, under political guidance, the "Safe Zone" pilot has been launched in coordination with the US, aimed at testing whether the Lebanese Army can operate against Hezbollah's illegal weapons.
IDF began today (Monday), under political guidance, a new regional pilot called "Safe Zone" in southern Lebanon, in cooperation with the US Central Command and the Lebanese Army.
As part of the pilot, teams from the IDF, the US military, and the Lebanese Army are coordinating and planning for the continued implementation of the agreement. The IDF is expected to reposition its forces in one of the pilot areas to enable the Lebanese Army to carry out its mission.
The IDF clarified that the repositioning will be carried out while maintaining force security, the right to self-defense, and the ability to remove threats. Additionally, the final process has not yet been determined, and no decision has been made on its continuation.
The pilot will take place in three villages and will serve as a test of the Lebanese Army's ability to exercise its sovereignty as the sole official body authorized to bear arms in the area.
The goal of the move and the agreement is to disarm Hezbollah of its illegal weapons. The pilot will be accompanied by a strict supervision mechanism led by the United States, designed to examine the implementation of commitments on the ground.
In the event of violations by Hezbollah, the IDF will act through the coordination cell mediated by the United States. The military emphasized that any violation of the agreement will be met with action and that the IDF "will act forcefully against any violation."
Alongside the repositioning, Israel will remain in the security zone as needed to protect northern communities. Additionally, the IDF's freedom of action to eliminate threats to forces deployed in the area will be preserved.
Three Villages as Test Zones
The US State Department officially announced the launch of the process to transfer control of southern Lebanese villages. According to the announcement, activities began immediately in three villages: Faron, Serifa, and Zoutar al-Gharbia, and the surrounding areas.
"Activities began today in the pilot area in the villages of Faron, Serifa, and Zoutar al-Gharbia, in accordance with the agreed tripartite framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon," the State Department said. The United States described the event as a significant moment in the historic processes between the countries: "This milestone is a direct result of the talks held last week between Israel and Lebanon in Rome."
The Lebanese army high command confirmed the US announcement and clarified that "military units will continue to carry out their missions in the southern areas, including the towns of Faron and Serifa." The Lebanese Army added that "meanwhile, monitoring is being conducted together with the special military coordination group for Lebanon to begin deployment in the town of Western Zoutar, after Israel's withdrawal from it."
Test of Lebanese Capability to Confront Hezbollah
The IDF is expected to withdraw from the agreed areas and transfer control to the Lebanese Army, with the areas serving as test sites where the Lebanese Army will be evaluated on its ability to confront Hezbollah. More importantly, the readiness of its soldiers to act against the Shiite organization will be tested.
The IDF spokesman clarified in a statement that "the IDF will act forcefully against any violation of the agreement." The warning comes amid concerns that the Lebanese Army may not be able or willing to effectively confront Hezbollah.
The move comes less than a day after the first official visit of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Aoun and praised "Lebanon's readiness to move toward the path of peace," while expressing great optimism about the negotiations.
"As Long as Hezbollah Exists, There Will Be No Peace"
Rubio clarified the US position in his meeting with Aoun: "Lebanon's biggest problem today is that there is a political movement that also has an armed militia, which has received equipment, training, and financial support from Iran—and uses it to promote terrorism, mainly against northern Israel. As long as this problem exists, there will be no peace in Lebanon."
The Secretary of State added and asked: "How do you subdue Hezbollah? You replace them with a government strong enough to be the sole authority over the country's weapons and able to offer prosperity. Lebanon's security must be entrusted to the Lebanese Army."
President Aoun, for his part, urged the Americans to support Lebanon and the Lebanese Army more deeply than before, as part of the assistance in implementing the details of the agreement. The agreement requires the Lebanese Army to take direct responsibility for the pilot areas in southern Lebanon, where it will prove its ability and readiness to confront the Shiite terrorist organization.
The United States clarified that it is deeply committed to the process of tripartite talks between the parties and will guarantee and assist in the execution of the framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon. The US announcement, published relatively unexpectedly and without prior media preparation, marks a significant step toward regional stability.
