Lebanon's army has started deploying troops to a "pilot zone" in the south of the country after Israeli forces began withdrawing under a US-brokered agreement reached last month. According to a statement from the Lebanese army command, units entered the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh in the Nabatieh district on Tuesday morning, July 21st, 2026.

The US State Department announced on Monday that pilot zone operations had commenced in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh and two other Lebanese villages, Froun and Srifa, consistent with the Trilateral Framework agreement involving Israel, Lebanon, and the US. This milestone followed discussions between Israeli and Lebanese representatives in Rome the previous week.

Israel's military confirmed the start of the pilot zone plan on Monday night, which involves Israeli troops pulling out of a small part of the territory occupied during their conflict with Hezbollah, alongside the disarmament of the Iran-backed group. The Lebanese army's deployment is coordinated with the Military Co-ordination Group for Lebanon, the trilateral body supporting the framework's implementation.

The initiative precedes a meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Aoun is expected to urge Trump to pressure Israel to withdraw from the rest of southern Lebanon and to support the Lebanese army in gaining full control over areas influenced by Hezbollah.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties. The Lebanese health ministry reports over 4,300 deaths in Lebanon, including nearly 800 children, women, and medics. Israeli authorities state that 37 Israeli soldiers and four civilians have been killed on both sides of the border during the conflict.

Sources