Israel and Lebanon Agree on IDF Withdrawal from Pilot Zones After US-Mediated Talks

After two days of negotiations mediated by the United States, Israel and Lebanon have concluded talks with positive outcomes, reinforcing mutual agreement on the need to disarm Hezbollah and advance the implementation of a trilateral framework agreement. The discussions resulted in an agreement on two pilot zones where Lebanon will test its ability to exercise sovereignty, with the Lebanese army responsible for enforcing agreed conditions under third-party (US) supervision. Any expansion of this pilot model will depend on the successful execution of the initial plan.

A US State Department official told Channel 13 News that the parties agreed on the outlines and mechanisms for the IDF's withdrawal from the pilot zones, with formalization and implementation expected in the coming days. Sources reported to Al-Arabiya that Israel’s withdrawal from these areas will occur before Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Washington. The US Embassy in Beirut confirmed that the practical framework for the pilot zones is in its final stages and that implementation will begin shortly, followed by technical talks to finalize the trilateral framework and reach a comprehensive Israel-Lebanon agreement.

During the talks, both sides agreed to commence implementation within days, based on the framework agreement. Earlier on Wednesday, President Aoun stated that Washington is currently attentive to Lebanon’s position and that the framework agreement with Israel is "the best possible." He also noted that the agreement is now on the desk of US President Donald Trump.