US announces pilot zone operations in 3 southern Lebanon villages
23:06, 20/07/2026, MondayU: Update: 23:54, 20/07/2026, Monday
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File photoThe US State Department announced on Monday the commencement of pilot zone operations in three southern Lebanese villages under a trilateral framework with Israel and Lebanon, describing the initiative as a direct outcome of last week's discussions in Rome between the two parties.
The US State Department announced on Monday the commencement of pilot zone operations in three southern Lebanese villages — Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya — under a trilateral framework with Israel and Lebanon. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott described the deployment as a milestone resulting from recent high-level diplomacy.
"This milestone is a direct outcome of last week's discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome," Pigott said in a statement. "The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion," he added, noting that the initiative is managed by the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.
Lebanese military response
The Lebanese army confirmed that its units continue to carry out missions in Froun and Srifa while coordinating with the Military Coordination Group to begin deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiya following the Israeli withdrawal. "In parallel, coordination is underway with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to begin deployment in the town of Zawtar al-Gharbiya following the Israeli withdrawal," the military said in a statement.
Commanders urged Lebanese citizens to avoid traveling to Zawtar al-Gharbiya and to follow instructions from deployed units for their safety.
Ongoing occupation
The announcement comes as Israeli forces continue military assaults in Lebanon despite a framework agreement signed by Beirut and Tel Aviv under US mediation last month. The pact provides for a phased Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, though it lacks a specific timetable and links completion to the Lebanese army assuming full security responsibility and the disarmament of armed groups including Hezbollah.
According to official Lebanese figures, Israeli attacks have killed 4,328 people and injured 12,227 others since March 2. Israel continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the previous war between October 2023 and November 2024.