Lebanese army enters southern town after Israeli withdrawal, in first test of US-brokered deal

Lebanese army soldiers started deploying in the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday, a day after Israeli forces pulled out. This move marks the first test of a US-brokered plan aimed at restoring Lebanese control over a border strip.

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Army engineering teams have entered Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, and we are waiting for further instructions.

The plan involves the Lebanese army confiscating weapons from Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned group, in southern Lebanon, alongside phased Israeli troop withdrawals. The Israeli military confirmed the plan's commencement on Monday. This initial handover of territory is crucial for Lebanon's hope of regaining sovereignty over a roughly 10-kilometer-deep area still occupied by Israeli troops.

This region has seen widespread destruction of villages and public infrastructure, including hospitals and water pumps. Tens of thousands of residents have been displaced and unable to return. The recent conflict between Hezbollah and Israel began in early March, following US and Israeli strikes against Iran, which Hezbollah stated was in support of Tehran.

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We will inform residents once the area is confirmed to be safe and under the army's control.

Army units began their deployment in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, located in the Nabatieh region, on Tuesday. The army urged residents to stay away until the security situation stabilizes and to follow military instructions. A senior Lebanese military official reported that engineering teams were sweeping the town for unexploded ordnance, indicating significant work remains before it can be declared safe.

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How can I be sure that I can enter Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh safely? How can I think of settling there when the Israelis are right next to me in Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh?

The town's mayor, Abed Ezzeddin, described the destruction as "extremely extensive," with more than half the town ruined and remaining homes severely damaged, rendering the village uninhabitable. He expressed concern about residents' safety, questioning the feasibility of returning while Israeli forces remain in neighboring Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh, just a five-minute walk away. An Israeli military official stated the pilot program tests the Lebanese Armed Forces' sovereignty, with them being the sole authorized armed authority in the area. Israeli officials have voiced skepticism about Lebanon's capacity to disarm Hezbollah but view the deal as a vital step toward peace.

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The pilot serves as a test of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ sovereignty in the three pilot villages, as the sole official authority authorised to bear arms in the area.