‘Just want to go back’: Lebanese await return as army enters ‘pilot zone’
Lebanon's army has begun deploying into southern towns as part of a US-brokered ceasefire framework with Israel. Displaced families await clearance to return home while engineering units remove unexploded ordnance from the area.
The Lebanese military has commenced operations in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, one of three designated pilot zones under a United States-brokered agreement between Lebanon and Israel. The deployment marks the initial phase of implementation, which envisions gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon alongside Lebanese army positioning to prevent Hezbollah from re-establishing military operations in the region.
Civilian displacement has created significant hardship for residents seeking to return. Families gathered at town entrances hoping for permission to re-enter, though military authorities delayed access pending clearance of unexploded ordnance. The security situation remained precarious, with Red Cross personnel sustaining injuries from a landmine explosion during body recovery operations.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited the town and planted the Lebanese flag near a destroyed building, framing the moment as a political statement. He reiterated the government's commitment to securing complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, characterizing the current deployment as an initial step in a broader diplomatic process.
Local sentiment revealed deep divisions. While some residents expressed hope for stability, others questioned whether the agreement represented genuine security or a compromise with Israeli interests. Skepticism centered on Israel's continued presence in other southern villages and concerns that full withdrawal remained contingent on Lebanese military success against armed groups. Hezbollah retained significant popular support among southern residents who viewed the government's military disarmament demands as capitulation.
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