US Launches Pilot for IDF Withdrawal from Three South Lebanon Villages Following Israel-Lebanon Talks

Following last week's Israel-Lebanon negotiations in Rome, the United States announced on Monday the start of a pilot program for the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from three villages in southern Lebanon: Farran, Sarifa, and Zotar al-Arabiya. The US State Department stated that this milestone is a direct result of the discussions held between the two countries and pledged continued close cooperation to successfully implement the framework agreement.

The framework agreement, signed on June 26, outlines the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south, the disarmament of Hezbollah, and a gradual IDF withdrawal from the areas it currently occupies. Lebanese security officials expressed concern, claiming that President Aoun agreed to demands they cannot meet and warned this could lead to a civil war with Hezbollah.

About ten days ago, the parties moved to the implementation phase of the agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah has lost most of its missile stockpile, but Iran continues to fund it. He emphasized that peace between Israel and Lebanon depends on Hezbollah’s disarmament. Netanyahu also criticized Hamas for refusing to disarm and warned that Hamas aims to evade commitments to maintain control over Gaza and continue terrorist attacks against Israel.

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, speaking at the Bofor Ridge, said the responsibility now lies with the Lebanese side to fulfill its commitments and clear Hezbollah militants and terror infrastructure from the area. Meanwhile, the IDF will persist in removing threats from Lebanese territory and remain prepared to quickly respond if the ceasefire is violated.