Lebanese Army Accuses IDF of Firing Near Its Units Amid Sensitive South Lebanon Agreement

The Lebanese Army issued an official statement on Tuesday accusing Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) of firing near its units during their deployment in the Zotar al-Arabiya area in southern Lebanon. This incident threatens to delay the implementation of the pilot phase of a recent trilateral agreement aimed at a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The agreement, signed last weekend, seeks to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and enable the Lebanese Army to assume full security responsibility in designated zones.

The U.S. State Department recently announced the launch of the first three pilot zones in southern Lebanon, Faron, Sarifa, and Zotar al-Gharbiya, calling the move a milestone in the Israel-Lebanon understandings. According to the agreement, the Lebanese Army will take over security after verifying the dismantling of armed groups, while Israel will gradually withdraw its forces based on security conditions.

The incident adds to rising internal tensions in Lebanon regarding the agreement’s implementation. Hezbollah-affiliated MP Hassan Az-Edin sharply criticized Lebanese President Michel Aoun for continuing direct negotiations with Israel, warning it risks national division and undermines consensus. Meanwhile, President Aoun met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington this week, reportedly agreeing on completing the Israeli withdrawal under the trilateral framework.

Meanwhile, IDF operations in southern Lebanon continue to counter immediate threats. Recently, the IDF struck four suspects approaching a security zone near Al-Aqida and neutralized a Hezbollah militant who fired on troops during a search in Bint Jbeil, during which an IDF dog was killed. The IDF spokesperson emphasized that Israel will not allow Hezbollah to harm Israeli civilians or soldiers and will persist in removing immediate threats.