A proposed pilot zone in South Lebanon has been narrowed to six villages as part of the sixth round of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations held Tuesday and Wednesday in Rome. The plan is intended to test implementation of reciprocal withdrawals by Israel and Hezbollah.
The proposed zone includes Western Zawtar (Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh), Froun, Ghandouriyeh, Qalaouiyeh, Burj Qalaouiyeh, and Srifa. Parts of one village remain under Israeli occupation, while the other five are under Israeli fire control. The area is divided into two sectors: Eastern Zawtar (Zawtar al-Sharqiyeh), north of the Litani River, and the remaining villages south of the river.
Srifa lies about five kilometers from the nearest Israeli ground position in Wadi al-Hujayr. Israeli forces never entered the town after withdrawing to the border security zone in South Lebanon in 1985, before their full withdrawal from the country in 2000.
Lebanese sources familiar with the contacts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the pilot zone remains only a proposal. They said the Lebanese Army has not yet been briefed on the outcome of the negotiations because none of its representatives are participating directly in the talks.
Withdrawal for Withdrawal
The proposal effectively divides the area into two sectors: one where Israeli forces are deployed on the outskirts and another where Hezbollah maintains a presence. Under the plan, both sides would withdraw simultaneously, allowing the Lebanese Army to deploy only after Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters have vacated their respective positions.
The Litani River runs along the outskirts of Eastern Zawtar, Froun, and Srifa. The Israeli military believes the interconnected deep valleys contain Hezbollah rocket-launching sites, citing the intensive strikes it carried out there during the recent war. Israeli ground forces also conducted incursions into the outskirts of Froun last month.
Ghandouriyeh, Qalaouiyeh, and Burj Qalaouiyeh occupy strategic high ground overlooking villages east of Wadi al-Hujayr that are still occupied by the Israeli military. The three villages lie more than 10 kilometers from the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Hezbollah has not commented on the proposal. Last month, Secretary-General Naim Qassem said that “the ceiling of sovereignty can be achieved by remaining within the framework of the November 27, 2024 agreement, on the basis of areas south of the Litani River only.” He also called for an unconditional Israeli withdrawal and for a comprehensive review of Lebanon’s national security strategy after such a withdrawal.
Lebanese Army Measures
Ahead of technical talks between the Lebanese and Israeli armies, expected Friday under US auspices and facilitation to discuss implementation mechanisms — including an Israeli withdrawal and Lebanese Army deployment — the Lebanese military began field measures in one of the proposed pilot-zone villages.
Local media reported that the army set up a large checkpoint at the entrance to Srifa from Deir Kifa and tightened inspections of vehicles and motorcycles entering the town.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military carried out demolition operations in Beit Yahoun, Bint Jbeil, Khiam, and Kounine, bulldozed roads linking Bint Jbeil to the border town of Maroun al-Ras, and opened fire on residents attempting to inspect orchards near Majdal Zoun and Mansouri.
