The Israeli military announced Monday that a pilot program establishing what it describes as safe zones in southern Lebanon has officially gotten underway, with cooperation from both the U.S. military and Lebanese armed forces.
These designated zones are part of a framework agreement brokered by the United States and signed last month between Israel and Lebanon. The deal calls for the disarmament of Iran-backed Hezbollah, the pullback of Israeli forces, and the movement of Lebanese troops into the area.
According to the Israeli military, teams from all three armed forces are actively working together to coordinate and plan how the agreement will be carried out. Officials also issued a warning that any violations of the agreement would be met with a strong response.
The Lebanese army confirmed Monday that its units are continuing operations in the southern villages of Froun and Srifa. It also said it is working with the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon to begin moving troops into the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh once Israeli forces pull out of the area.
The Lebanese army called on residents to stay out of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh for now and to follow directions from soldiers stationed in the region.
