Lebanese army begins deployment in 'test zones' in the south of the country

On Tuesday  (July 21st), the Lebanese army began deploying in the western town of Zouter in the south of the country in implementation of the "test zones" under the framework agreement concluded with Israel, hours before President Joseph Aoun met with his US counterpart Donald Trump.

The Lebanese army said in a statement that its units had begun deploying to the town "based on existing contacts with the Lebanese Military Coordination Group".

The army renewed its call on residents to "not go to the town until the security situation stabilizes, and to abide by the directives of the deployed military units in order to preserve their safety."

Local media broadcast live footage showing the entry of army vehicles, one of which raised the Lebanese flag, into the town, and this came after the announcement by the US State Department, which sponsors direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, to start implementing the experimental zones in three towns, namely Zotar al-Gharbia, Froon and Sarifa.

Israeli Army redeploys

Faroun and Sarifa are practically located within the area that the Israeli army has designated since September 18 as a "security zone", but it has not deployed troops there, while Zotar al-Gharbia is located outside it.

The Israeli army announced last night that it would make adjustments to its positions "in one of the test areas", referring to the western Zoutar.

On June 26, Lebanon and Israel concluded a framework agreement after five rounds of negotiations, which specifically stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel's gradual withdrawal from the territories it occupied in southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army starting from "two test zones."

After deploying in the "test zones," the Lebanese army is supposed to disarm Hezbollah and prohibit any military presence of any group outside the government forces, which would be an experiment for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from other areas.

The start of the army's deployment in the Israeli-occupied area, which  is up to 10 kilometers deep from its border, is the first practical test of the Lebanese state, which analysts doubt will be able to complete and verify the task of disarming Hezbollah.

Aoun proposes Al-Shukif Castle as a pilot area

Lebanese sources revealed that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has presented the US administration with a shortlist of towns that are candidates for the second pilot phase of the Safe Belt Project, including Eastern Zoutar and the strategic area of Qalaat al-Shukif, in preparation for discussing them in his meeting tonight with US President Donald Trump.

The sources pointed out that this step comes after the Lebanese army has already entered the first phase in Zoutar al-Gharbia, Froon and Sarifa, where patrols are being conducted and field control is consolidated.

The sources explained that the new proposal calls for the annexation of Eastern Zuter as soon as the situation in Western Zuter is stabilized, in addition to the army's transfer to fully supervise the Al-Shukif Castle, which is a highly supervised observation point in Litani and Nabatieh, in order to prevent its use for any military activity.

Hezbollah is a movement of hope. Conditional Admission

 Hezbollah and Amal have taken a  cautious stance on the plan to expand the safe belt, in the formulation of a conditional acceptance pool and an outright rejection of some items.

Lebanese sources said that  the duo of the party and the movement did not directly object to the deployment of the Lebanese army in the southern towns, in order to avoid any clash with the military or with the popular environment affected by the war, but expressed a very cautious acceptance of the proposed US mechanisms.

 Circles close to Hezbollah stressed  that "the weapon of the resistance is beyond any discussion or technical test," considering that the army's mission is to protect the borders and prevent Israeli incursions, rather than turning into a security tool that works according to the requirements of Washington and Tel Aviv.

 These sources stressed that "the resistance will remain present and ready to defend" in the event that the field tests fail or turn into a path that touches the essence of the deterrence equation.