Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
On July 22, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam toured Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, one of several “pilot zones” intended to demonstrate that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) can remove and disarm Hezbollah as part of an American-sponsored deal with Israel.
Beirut is working toward a “complete Israeli withdrawal” from areas it occupies said Salam.
“We will continue mobilizing our political and diplomatic efforts to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from the south,” said Salam.
On July 20, the Israeli military fired at the LAF as they took up positions in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh under an American-sponsored agreement. The LAF cautioned Israeli to work through the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon (MCG4L) and through the approved coordination and communication channels, instead of carrying out attacks.
Experts have warned that Israel is well known for disregarding US-sponsored agreements in Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.
South Lebanon stands on the brink of a potentially decisive chapter as Israeli military preparations, a U.S.-brokered security initiative, and high-level diplomatic engagement converge in what officials describe as a critical period for the country’s future.
On July 20, Lebanese President Josef Aoun met with Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, at the State Department.
On July 21, Aoun and Trump met in the Oval Office with press coverage. Trump spoke highly of the Lebanese people and Aoun. While Aoun, formerly an Army commander, stressed the need for American support of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and for the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
A Lebanese official quoted by Reuters said Aoun believes Trump is the only leader capable of exerting sufficient influence on Israel to secure a complete withdrawal and help Lebanon restore full sovereignty over its territory.
Israeli military engineering units have completed inspections of an extensive tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif) mountain range in southern Lebanon and are awaiting final authorization from Israel’s political leadership to carry out what Israeli media describe as a large-scale demolition operation.
Military officials quoted by Israeli media estimate that the explosion could generate seismic activity measuring between 3.4 and 3.7 on the Richter scale, prompting precautionary measures in surrounding areas due to the anticipated force of the blast.
The reported operation comes as the LAF begin deploying into designated southern villages under the first implementation phase of the June 26 American-supported framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. The agreement envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal, expanded deployment of the LAF, and measures aimed at removing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure from southern Lebanon.
The first deployment has begun in Froun and Srifa, while preparations continue for the LAF to assume responsibility in Western Zawtar once Israeli forces complete their withdrawal. Israeli officials have stated that progress to additional areas will depend on security assessments and continued coordination with the LAF and U.S. military officials.
However, a reporter from Al Jazeera on the ground in Froun said the Israeli forces had never been in Froun before the LAF arrived.
Despite the agreement, Israeli officials maintain there is no fixed timetable for withdrawal, insisting that Israeli forces will remain within a proposed ten-kilometer security zone until Hezbollah has been effectively disarmed.
Meanwhile, Axios reported, citing a U.S. official, that implementation of the agreement’s second phase will proceed only after international verification confirms that designated areas are free of Hezbollah weapons and military infrastructure.
Inside Israel, political attention is also focused on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Israeli media reporting growing concern within the Likud Party that renewed security escalation could affect the timing of internal party primaries.
Lebanese analysts argue that Israel’s initial territorial concessions remain limited, noting that the three villages included in the pilot phase represent only a small fraction of the territory currently under Israeli military control in southern Lebanon.
The coming days are expected to be decisive. The outcome of the White House talks, the implementation of the pilot security zones, and Israel’s pending decision on the reported tunnel demolition operation could significantly influence the future of southern Lebanon, the fate of the June 26 framework agreement, and the broader balance of power along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award-winning journalist.
