Lebanon pilot begins, but Hezbollah tensions leave key questions unresolved

A U.S.-announced pilot program has begun to transfer control of three southern Lebanese villages from the Israeli military to the Lebanese army, marking a new phase in the northern campaign. The villages—Srifa, Froun, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya—were chosen because most Hezbollah infrastructure there has already been addressed and the handover requires minimal Israeli withdrawal. The Lebanese army's primary responsibility will be to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and rebuilding positions. However, two key issues remain unresolved: the fate of approximately 40 Hezbollah terrorists trapped in the Ali Taher Ridge, and whether the terror infrastructure discovered there will be destroyed or handed over intact. A senior military officer stated there is "time" to implement the pilot, emphasizing careful assessment of the Lebanese army's performance. Meanwhile, Hezbollah is using the ceasefire to move weapons and conduct surveillance, prompting the IDF to reinforce its positions and accelerate its military efforts in the area.