Israel to withdraw from Lebanon’s pilot zones ahead of Aoun-Trump meeting

BEIRUT/WASHINGTON — The US announced on Monday that “pilot zone operations” had begun as part of a Washington-backed security framework between Lebanon and Israel ahead of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s meeting with US President Donald Trump.

The US State Department said in a statement, “Today, pilot zone operations began in the villages of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya in accordance with the Trilateral Framework and under the auspices of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.”

It went on, “This milestone is a direct outcome of last week’s discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Rome. The United States will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion.”

Froun and Srifa are both within the first pilot zone, which is south of the Litani River and outside the area where Israeli ground forces are currently deployed. 

On Friday, the Lebanese military deployed troops into Froun to set up checkpoints and conduct patrols, according to Lebanese news reports. 

Israeli forces have pushed deep into southern Lebanon since hostilities resumed on March 2, after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran. Israel established its “Yellow Line” in southern Lebanon, a buffer zone extending roughly six miles (10 kilometers) north of the border. 

Zawtar Al-Gharbiya lies within that zone and is part of the area from which Israel would have to withdraw as part of the implementation of the framework signed with the US and Lebanon in June. 

In a statement following the announcement, the Lebanese military said that "coordination is underway" to proceed with a deployment in Zawtar Al-Gharbiya.

The framework, agreed on by Lebanon, Israel and the US in June, calls for a phased Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the deployment of the Lebanese military and the removal of weapons and military infrastructure belonging to non-state armed groups in a provision widely understood to refer to Hezbollah. The pilot zones are intended to test the process before it is expanded elsewhere.

A US official told Al-Monitor that the Lebanese military will be "responsible for these zones" and "clear the areas of terrorist weapons and infrastructure, conduct verified clearance operations and hold and secure the zones." Any attempt by Hezbollah to "derail, infiltrate, or re-arm in these zones would seriously harm the prospects for reconstruction and peace, and the interests of the Lebanese people," the official added.

US Lt. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, who heads the monitoring committee for the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, is expected in Lebanon in the coming days.

Axios reported on Monday that Israeli forces would begin withdrawing from the pilot zones on Tuesday. 

Meeting with Trump

Aoun is set to meet with President Donald Trump on Tuesday. 

The Lebanese president arrived in Washington on Saturday for a four-day visit at Trump’s invitation, the first such trip to the US by a Lebanese head of state since 2009. He was accompanied by his wife, Neemat Aoun, and was welcomed by US Chief of Protocol Monica Crowley and Lebanon’s ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh.

Citing a Lebanese official, Reuters reported that Aoun will present Trump with a proposal on disarming Hezbollah and an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

Last week, Aoun said he would ask Trump “to exert the necessary pressures on Israel to implement what was agreed upon in the framework deal.” Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued to strike southern Lebanon. 

Aoun will also meet with members of the US Senate and officials in the Trump administration to discuss the situation in Lebanon as well as ways to consolidate the ceasefire and restore security in the country, particularly in the south, according to the Lebanese presidency.

Aoun meets Rubio

Aoun met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington on Sunday. 

According to a State Department readout, Rubio praised Aoun’s efforts to disarm the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and his government’s “move toward peace.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rubio said Lebanon’s “biggest problem” remains Hezbollah. 

Rubio also mentioned the possibility of US investments in Lebanon and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries, suspended since the US imposed a ban on Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines, in 1985 following the hijacking by Hezbollah members of two TWA airplanes at the Beirut airport. 

Rubio said the meeting was “very positive,” and affirmed that the Lebanese leader will also meet with US President Donald Trump. 

This developing story has been updated since initial publication.