In first, Lebanese army deploys in southern ‘pilot zone’ after Israel withdraws

The Lebanese army began deploying troops in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon, on Tuesday, following an Israeli withdrawal from the area. This deployment is part of a US-brokered "pilot zone" plan, marking the first test of an agreement that envisions Lebanese forces disarming Hezbollah in parts of southern Lebanon, with phased Israeli troop withdrawals. The plan, signed by Lebanon, Israel, and the United States on June 26, aims for the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume sole security control of vacated areas and certify them free of Hezbollah weapons. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington to present a plan for disarming Hezbollah and securing Israel's full withdrawal. Meanwhile, Israel has called on the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to reject the "cynical weaponization of cultural heritage," citing Hezbollah's use of Beaufort Castle as a military base and criticizing attempts to politicize heritage sites.