Israel’s ‘pilot zones’: Withdrawal on paper, continued occupation of south Lebanon
Israel’s ‘pilot zones’: Withdrawal on paper, continued occupation of south Lebanon At the entrance to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, a village in southern Lebanon , a Lebanese Army checkpoint marks the edge of what is now officially known as a "pilot zone". It is one of three villages - along with Froun and Srifa - designated as such under the framework agreement between Israel , the United States and…
Israel has designated three southern Lebanese villages - Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, Froun and Srifa - as "pilot zones" under a framework agreement signed in June 2026, with the intention of gradually withdrawing troops and transferring sovereignty to the Lebanese Army. However, on the ground, Israel's withdrawal appears to be on paper only as the occupied villages continue to be under Israeli control.
A Lebanese soldier stands guard at the entrance to Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, one of the pilot zones, highlighting the ongoing Israeli presence despite the official withdrawal.
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