Lebanese army says Israeli fire near troops hindered southern deployment

Lebanon's military said Israeli troops fired near Lebanese soldiers Tuesday as they were deploying in Zawtar al-Gharbiya in the Nabatieh region, one of the so-called pilot zones from which Israel is expected to withdraw under a US-backed agreement. Israel said it fired only warning shots into the air after Lebanese soldiers entered an area it said was not part of the pilot area, and said no injuries were reported.

The Lebanese army said military units began deploying in Zawtar al-Gharbiya in the morning. A correspondent saw military vehicles, including one flying the Lebanese flag, entering the village, which sits on the edge of what Israel calls the security zone. The army later said Israeli forces opened fire near its units and that the incident would hinder the deployment. The Lebanese army command said its troops were only in Zawtar al-Gharbiya and said Israel should raise any problem through the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon and approved coordination channels rather than carrying out attacks.

The announcements came as the Lebanese army said it was deploying in those areas and as President Joseph Aoun visited Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. Washington sponsored the agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Israel invaded Lebanon during its recent war with Iran-backed Hezbollah and has continued to occupy parts of the country despite a ceasefire. The invasion followed Hezbollah rocket attacks on Israel in March in support of Iran. Israeli troops have so far controlled only the outskirts of one pilot zone, while the occupation of other areas has not yet been addressed. The Lebanese military already has a presence in the other two pilot zones.

In a separate incident, the Lebanese Red Cross said two rescuers were wounded and an ambulance was severely damaged when a landmine exploded near a convoy heading to search for a missing person in an occupied area. The Red Cross said it had received the required permits before entering and was working to secure safe passage for the wounded paramedics. Lebanese state media said Israeli forces briefly detained and released three men from Shebaa, a Sunni-majority southern village near the border whose residents largely stayed despite the war.

Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement last month that aims for Israel's gradual withdrawal from Lebanon, the disarming of Hezbollah and the Lebanese army taking over security in the south. Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the deal and refuses to disarm. There is no timetable for Israel's full withdrawal.

The US State Department said Monday evening that the Lebanese army had begun ensuring security in Zawtar al-Gharbiya, Froun and Srifa. Israeli forces are not present in Froun and Srifa, which straddle the edge of the security zone, while Israeli forces had deployed to the outskirts of Zawtar al-Gharbiya. The Israeli military said it would adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas.

The Israeli-occupied lands cover an area up to 10 kilometres deep inside Lebanon. Military expert Hassan Jouni said the deployment would test whether Israel is serious about withdrawing and how Hezbollah responds on the ground, given its rejection of the pilot zones and the agreement. He said the biggest challenge would be continuing withdrawals from other pilot zones that are actually occupied by Israel.