{
  "id": 12804167,
  "title": "Hezbollah still present inside southern Lebanon pilot zones, despite Lebanese Army efforts - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/hezbollah-still-present-inside-southern-lebanon-pilot-zones-despite",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T06:24:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-910990"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hezbollah operatives continue to operate in key southern Lebanon regions despite the Lebanese Army's efforts, according to KAN News report. The terror group is believed to be hiding among civilians in the areas of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, situated south of Nabatiya. In addition to gathering intelligence, Hezbollah forces are also engaged in damage control with local officials. A Lebanese source expressed dissatisfaction, stating that if Israel leaves an area, Hezbollah immediately takes its place, highlighting the urgency of disarming Hezbollah. Israeli officials have long maintained that the pilot program, which involved Israeli withdrawal to enable Lebanese Armed Forces to combat Hezbollah, has been unsuccessful. In August, Walla cited security officials' claims that the Lebanese Armed Forces were not destroying Hezbollah's infrastructure based on the coordinates provided by the IDF, while simultaneously requesting more coordinates without taking action. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have criticized the Lebanese Army's performance, alleging inefficiency in combating Hezbollah's infrastructure, finding weapons, and conducting searches in southern Lebanon. Senior IDF officials suggest that the Lebanese Army continues to collaborate with Hezbollah, fears confronting Hezbollah commanders, and struggles with locating terror infrastructure and weapons.",
  "summary": "According to KAN, Hezbollah terror operatives have been located in the areas of Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiyah, south of Nabatiya, flying under the radar by posing as civilians.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hezbollah operatives still present in southern Lebanon regions",
    "Lebanese Army struggles to combat Hezbollah infrastructure",
    "Israeli officials claim Hezbollah takes over vacated areas"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Hezbollah's continued presence in southern Lebanon pilot zones undermines the Lebanese Army's efforts and validates Israeli concerns about the army's collaboration with and inability to combat the group effectively.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}