IDF Repositions Forces as Lebanese Army Takes Control of Additional Southern Areas

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a redeployment of its troops in a pilot zone in southern Lebanon to enable the Lebanese Army to assume responsibility for these areas while maintaining security and self-defense capabilities. This move involves the Lebanese Army entering three zones in the Ali Taher ridge and the Beqaa Nabatiyeh area as part of a pilot program to test its role as the sole authorized armed force in the region. The IDF described this as a "sovereignty test" for the Lebanese Army in the three pilot villages, with the final decision on the process still pending.

In the event of violations by Hezbollah, Israel plans to respond through a coordination cell mediated by the United States. Concurrently, IDF engineering troops have completed tunnel scans in the Bofor ridge and await political approval to destroy the tunnels. Additionally, the 36th Division continues to pressure dozens of Hezbollah militants hiding in tunnels in the Ali Taher ridge, who reportedly have run out of food in recent days.

The pilot program will be closely monitored under U.S. supervision, aiming to disarm Hezbollah of its illegal weapons. Israel will maintain its presence in the security zone as long as necessary to protect northern communities and retain freedom of action to neutralize threats. As part of the redeployment, the Lebanese Army has taken responsibility for the villages of Farran and Sarifa, which the IDF had previously surrounded and evacuated, though Lebanese forces have not yet entered them. The IDF is evaluating the Lebanese Army’s activity in these areas before deciding on transferring security responsibility for the village of Zotar al-Rabia, which the Lebanese Army is expected to enter after the withdrawal of the 36th Division forces.