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2w ago

U.S.-Backed Plan Clears Guidelines for Two South Lebanon Pilot Zones

U.S. officials say U.S. teams will soon verify Lebanese army control in trial areas as a test of whether diplomacy can halt fighting with Hezbollah refusing to disarm and Israel holding key positions.

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike on Nabatieh Al Faouqa in southern Lebanon. AFP
NBC depiction of a Lebanese boy on a bombed-out street.
Lebanese soldiers setting up a checkpoint in southern Lebanon. Photo: Lebanese Army Press Office

Overview

  • U.S. officials announced this week that negotiators agreed on the structure and guidelines for two pilot zones and that completion and implementation are expected in the coming days.
  • Lebanese presidential sources praised the Rome talks and the Lebanese Armed Forces said it already patrols parts of one proposed pilot area and recently increased patrols there.
  • Hezbollah has rejected the June framework and has declined to disarm, leaving verification of weapons removal as the central unresolved issue for any handover.
  • Israeli forces have continued strikes in southern Lebanon and say they will keep strategic positions such as the Ali Taher Ridge, and a planned military meeting to set technical details was delayed and may be rescheduled.
  • If technical talks resume, U.S. military teams coordinated by CENTCOM aim to monitor the handovers, but experts warn the plan could falter without a clear verification mechanism, stronger guarantees of Israeli withdrawal, and buy-in from Hezbollah.