US says Lebanese army deploying to ‘pilot zones,’ including one IDF will withdraw from

The US announces the commencement of “pilot zone operations” in southern Lebanon, where Lebanese Armed Forces are slated to deploy in place of withdrawing Israeli troops.

“Today, pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon,” the US State Department says in a statement.

However, two of the three villages mentioned notably don’t have Israeli forces located there.

Froun and Srifa are located in the first of two pilot zones earmarked for the LAF’s deployment, as part of the framework deal Israel and Lebanon reached last month. That pilot zone is located outside of the IDF’s six-mile buffer zone in southern Lebanon.

The second pilot zone straddles both sides of the IDF buffer zone. Zawtar Al-Gharbiya is inside Israel’s buffer zone. Israeli forces currently stationed there will be required to withdraw.

The State Department doesn’t specify what it means by pilot zone operations beginning, but is apparently referring to the deployment of LAF forces in those three villages.

“This milestone is a direct outcome of last week’s discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome. The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion,” the State Department statement says.

While Israel agreed to withdraw its troops from the second pilot zone as part of the framework deal it inked with Lebanon last month, it has yet to do so, with military officials saying they haven’t received a directive from elected leaders to pull out of the area.

The Israeli foot dragging on the withdrawal has marred negotiations with Lebanon, which briefly threatened to boycott last week’s talks in Rome, before the US managed to talk Beirut down with assurances that progress would be made on the issue.

However, it remains unclear when Israeli forces will begin withdrawing from the second zone, as no timeline has been provided.

The IDF doesn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on its planned withdrawal.