Pilot zones in Southern Lebanon: A failure foretold
The pilot zones in Southern Lebanon were intended to serve as a practical test of the Lebanese state’s ability and willingness, through the Lebanese Armed Forces, to implement the understandings with Israel: to establish its presence on the ground, prevent Hezbollah’s return and thwart the rehabilitation of its infrastructure.However, developments in Zoutar al-Gharbiyeh, the first pilot zone, already point to the opposite trend. Under the cover of the Lebanese Army’s presence, Hezbollah’s apparatuses are returning to the village and re-establishing a civilian foothold there, which could later serve as the foundation for renewed military entrenchment.The first sign of this was the return, at the end of July, of Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization. In officially published documentation, Hezbollah operatives from the health group were seen operating in Zoutar al-Gharbiyeh, including recovering the bodies of dead Hezbollah members, while accompanied by the Lebanese Army.This is not an independent medical organization, nor is…
Pilot zones in Southern Lebanon, intended to test the Lebanese Armed Forces' ability to prevent Hezbollah's return, are reportedly failing. In Zoutar al-Gharbiyeh, the first pilot zone, Hezbollah's civilian apparatuses are re-establishing a foothold under the Lebanese Army's presence. The Islamic Health Organization, a Hezbollah-affiliated group, returned in late July, with its operatives seen recovering bodies of Hezbollah members while accompanied by the Lebanese Army. Shortly after, the “Help One Another” Association (“Wa Ta’awanu”), another Hezbollah civilian arm, also entered the village, providing humanitarian aid and organizing events. These organizations, which have historically supported Hezbollah's military activities and maintained ties with Iran, are creating dependence among the population and laying the groundwork for potential renewed military entrenchment. The article states, “Dismantling weapons and military infrastructure is not sufficient if, at the same time, Hezbollah’s civilian apparatuses are allowed to return to the area.”
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