Lebanese army begins deployment in pilot zone after Israeli pull‑back

Mon Sep 14 2026 09:01:13 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Lebanon’s army moves troops into a pilot zone as Israeli forces withdraw, a step highlighted by US‑brokered talks and a looming meeting in Washington.

Following a US‑brokered agreement, Lebanese troops have entered the town of Zawtar al‑Gharbiyeh, marking the start of a pilot zone in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces pulled back from a portion of territory that had been occupied during the recent conflict with Hezbollah. The shift follows an upcoming Washington meeting where President Trump may urge Israel to withdraw entirely and support the Lebanese army in taking control over areas dominated by Hezbollah. The violence, which surged after Hezbollah rockets in March, has killed over 4,300 Lebanese, including children and medics. Israel reports 37 soldiers and four civilians killed in cross‑border incidents.

Lebanese army says troops deploying in “pilot zone” after Israeli withdrawal

Lebanon’s army says its troops have begun deploying to a “pilot” zone in the south of the country following the withdrawal of Israeli forces under a US‑brokered agreement reached last month.

Units entered the village of Zawtar al‑Gharbiyeh in Nabatieh district on Tuesday morning.

Israel confirmed the start of the pilot zone plan last night, which should see Israeli troops pull out from a small part of the territory occupied during their conflict with Hezbollah and also disarm the Iran‑backed group.

Concurrent with the withdrawal is a Washington meeting between US President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, where Aoun is expected to urge Trump to pressure Israel for a full withdrawal from southern Lebanon and provide support for the Lebanese army to take control of areas dominated by Hezbollah.

The war began on 2 March when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in retaliation for a strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader; Israel responded with a bombing campaign across Lebanon and invaded a significant part of the country’s south.

According to Lebanon’s health ministry, more than 4,300 people have been killed in Lebanon, including almost 800 children, women and medics.

Israeli authorities say 37 Israeli soldiers and four civilians have been killed on both sides of the border during the conflict.