Israel obstructing takeover of pilot zones in Lebanon’s south: Military
Lebanon's military has accused Israel of violating a US-backed ceasefire agreement by continuing military operations in southern Lebanon, obstructing the Lebanese army's deployment to designated pilot zones. The Lebanese forces began taking control of three pilot villages this week as part of a phased Israeli withdrawal plan.
Lebanon's armed forces have formally charged Israel with breaching the terms of a recently signed ceasefire arrangement, claiming that ongoing Israeli military activity is preventing Lebanese troops from establishing security control in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese military, Israeli forces continue to conduct shelling and clearance operations across multiple locations, hindering the deployment of Lebanese personnel to villages designated for the first phase of Israeli withdrawal.
Three villages—Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Froun, and Srifa—were selected as pilot zones where Lebanese forces would assume security responsibilities following a US-brokered agreement signed last month. The Lebanese army began deploying troops to the first of these villages this week. However, the military statement indicates that Israeli operations are preventing the completion of this transition and blocking the return of displaced residents to their homes.
According to reporting from the region, Israeli military activity persists in multiple areas including Zawtar, Tibnit, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa, where civilians have begun returning despite ongoing gunfire. The Lebanese military documented additional Israeli operations involving bulldozing, shelling, and machine-gun sweeps across numerous towns and villages. Infrastructure damage has also been reported, including the destruction of a water project in Markaba and the destruction of agricultural land and olive groves near Aitaroun.
Israel has maintained a military presence in southern Lebanon for months, stating that its forces are necessary to counter Hezbollah. The Iran-backed group has rejected the ceasefire arrangement, demanding Israel's unconditional withdrawal. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun recently visited Washington to appeal to US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel into compliance with the agreement.
The current tensions follow a broader escalation that began in March, when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Israel. The latest round of violence has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 4,330 people killed overall, alongside 37 Israeli soldiers and four Israeli civilians.
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