Lebanese military begins takeover of ‘pilot zones’ in villages near IDF security zone

The Lebanese military has initiated operations to assume control of villages near the Israeli security zone, as announced by the U.S. State Department on Monday. These "pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya," according to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott. This development follows discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome and aligns with a June agreement between Israel, Lebanon, and the United States. The agreement stipulates that Lebanese-controlled pilot zones are the initial step for Israel to "progressively redeploy out of the Lebanese territory," contingent on mutual consent and the disarmament of non-state armed groups. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the issue after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, stating that as long as Hezbollah, an armed militia financed by Iran, exists, "Lebanon will never fully be at peace."