Lebanese Army Enters Pilot Zones Following Israeli Withdrawal

The Lebanese Armed Forces began deploying to southern Lebanon on July 21, 2026, as part of a U.S.-brokered framework agreement intended to end five months of conflict. The initiative established pilot zones in the towns of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Frun, and Srifa, where the Lebanese military is tasked with clearing Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure to facilitate a phased Israeli withdrawal.

Implementation was marked by immediate friction. The Lebanese army reported that the Israel Defense Forces opened fire near its troops in Zawtar al-Gharbiya on July 22. The IDF characterized the incident as warning shots fired after Lebanese personnel breached barriers and entered a security zone near Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh. Despite these clashes, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Zawtar al-Gharbiya to plant a national flag, signaling Lebanon's determination to secure a full withdrawal from all its territory.

Concurrent with the ground operations, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to present a proposal for disarming Hezbollah and to request U.S. pressure for a complete Israeli pullout. Trump, who mediated the ceasefire and announced the resumption of direct U.S. flights to Lebanon, has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to complete the military withdrawal. Netanyahu has described the movements as redeployments rather than withdrawals.

By late July, civilians began returning to Zawtar al-Gharbiya, though officials reported extensive damage, with some estimates stating three-quarters of the buildings were destroyed. Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, describing the plan as a national betrayal and refusing to surrender its weapons.