US ambassador visits Lebanon army-held ‘pilot zone’ near Israel

On Tuesday, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa visited the southern village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya, which recently came under the control of the Lebanese army under a framework agreement with Israel. The agreement states that Israeli forces would withdraw from occupied southern Lebanon territories, replacing them with Lebanese army control in designated "pilot zones," contingent upon Hezbollah disarming.

During his visit, Issa toured a local church, according to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). An Israeli drone reportedly monitored the area, noting Israeli military movements in the neighboring town. Despite Israeli troops maintaining a security zone along the 10km deep Lebanese border, recent events, including the destruction of a Hezbollah location at the Ali al-Taher ridge, have resulted in a 4.1 magnitude tremor.

Upcoming talks between Israel and Lebanon on implementing the agreement have been postponed to October, with the last session in August ending in disagreement – Israel insisting on full army control over existing pilot zones, while Lebanon demanded equal negotiation rights. The Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors are scheduled to meet this week to discuss progress.

President Aoun also visited the village on Saturday, inspecting army units and observing Israeli military positions. While violence has decreased since the June agreement and the US-Iran deal, Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon. Hezbollah, which instigated the March conflict with strikes on Israel, has not initiated any recent attacks and remains opposed to negotiations and disarming.

Since March's hostilities began, Israeli strikes have resulted in over 4,300 casualties, as reported by Lebanese authorities.