Lebanese Army Begins Deployment to Pilot Zone of Sautar al-Gharbija

The background is a direct arrangement between the two neighboring states. In the course of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, the two neighboring countries, which are essentially hostile toward each other, most recently agreed on a framework arrangement. It was stipulated therein that Hezbollah is to be disarmed and the Israeli Army is to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

What Is Specifically to Happen in the Pilot Zones

The pilot zones are intended to show whether this process works in practice before the approach is extended to additional areas. This concerns both the orderly withdrawal of Israeli troops and the question of whether the Lebanese armed forces are in a position to take control while simultaneously disarming Hezbollah. Should the model prove successful, it could, in the participants' view, serve as a template for comprehensive deployment throughout the entire south.

Hezbollah's Position

It remains open to what extent Hezbollah is willing to abide by the arrangement. Hezbollah rejects the arrangement, however. It was not involved in the talks. It first demands a complete Israeli withdrawal. In doing so, the armed organization is positioning itself against part of the arrangement and calling the gradual approach into question.

The Lebanese government thus faces a difficult task. On the one hand, it has committed itself to Israel to disarm Hezbollah. On the other hand, the Shia organization is an important political and social actor in the country. Whether the Lebanese armed forces can actually take control in the pilot zones depends, in the assessment of observers, also on how Hezbollah behaves on the ground.

Outlook for Additional Areas

International observers are closely following the process. The US State Department had also recently commented on the direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, describing the arrangement as an important step. Should the pilot phase proceed successfully, this would, in diplomats' assessment, be the first tangible progress toward comprehensive stabilization of the border area in years.

The timetable for extension to additional areas remains open. Observers regard the deployment to Sautar al-Gharbija as the first practical test of the framework arrangement. Should the disarmament in this zone succeed and the withdrawal of the Israeli Army proceed smoothly, the pilot zones could, in the participants' view, be gradually extended to the entire southern Lebanon.