Lebanese Army enters southern Lebanon as "Pilot Zones" phase begins

• Deployment was coordinated under the U.S.-brokered Trilateral Framework.
• Pilot zones program emerged from Lebanese-'Israeli' negotiations in Rome.
• Lebanese Army urged residents to avoid the area until security operations are completed.

Units from the Engineering Regiment of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) entered the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh Governorate on Tuesday morning, marking the operational launch of the first phase of the "pilot zones" security plan.

The deployment follows extensive communications conducted through the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L), an oversight body established to supervise the progressive assertion of Lebanese state authority across southern territories.

Outcome of Rome negotiations

The field movement comes immediately after the United States Department of State announced the launch of the initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon.

According to an official statement, the step serves as a "direct outcome" of high-level negotiations held between 'Israeli' and Lebanese delegations in Rome.

Under the US-brokered "Trilateral Framework," designated pilot zones -including Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Froun, and Srifa- act as testing grounds for the synchronized withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces alongside the structured deployment of the Lebanese army to ensure state military control and weapon clearance.

Army urges public compliance for civilian safety

As engineering units initiated site checks and clearance procedures inside Zawtar al-Gharbiya, the Lebanese Army Command renewed its call to the public to avoid traveling to the town for the time being.

Military authorities emphasized that civilians must refrain from entering the area until the security situation stabilizes and field units complete necessary operational checks, stressing that strict adherence to military directives is essential to protect public safety during this transitional phase.