Lebanese army deploys in southern area under Israel deal

The Lebanese army said on Tuesday that it had begun deploying to Zawtar al-Garhbiya in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon. The village is one of three pilot zones named in a framework agreement with Israel that aims for Israel's gradual withdrawal from Lebanon, the disarming of Hezbollah and Lebanese army control over security in the south.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was visiting Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump as the announcement was made. Washington sponsored the agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

The army said military units began moving into Zawtar al-Garhbiya in the morning. A reporter at the scene saw military vehicles, including one flying the Lebanese flag, entering the village, which lies on the edge of what Israel calls the security zone.

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

The US State Department said on Monday evening that the Lebanese army had begun ensuring security in Zawtar al-Garhbiya, Froun and Srifa. Israeli forces were not present in Froun and Srifa, which sit along the edge of the security zone, while they had deployed to the outskirts of Zawtar al-Garhbiya. A US official said the move was an opportunity for the Lebanese state to reassert control in areas historically dominated by Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it would adjust its force posture in one of the pilot areas.

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the agreement and refuses to disarm. There is no timetable for Israel's full withdrawal. The Israeli-occupied area extends up to 10 kilometres, or six miles, into Lebanese territory.

Military expert Hassan Jouni said the deployment would test whether the Israeli army was serious about withdrawing and how Hezbollah would act on the ground, given its rejection of the pilot zones and the agreement. He said the largest challenge would be continuing withdrawals from other pilot zones that are actually occupied by Israel.

The developments came as Aoun was expected to ask Trump to increase pressure on Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory.